A common large tree of the Mountains of North Carolina, Eastern Hemlock is in serious trouble because of the recently introduced Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) (seen at left). Eastern Hemlock also occurs in a few locations in the Piedmont, as far east as Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve in Cary, NC. Because of the many planted trees between the mountains and this disjunct population, the adelgid has unfortunately reached Hemlock Bluffs.

Planted tree, Greensboro, NC 4/4/10.

Eastern Hemlock is similar to the smaller, less common, and less widespread Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana), but has shorter leaves (8-13 mm vs. 10-18 mm) that do not spread from the twigs at all angles. In Eastern Hemlock the leaves spread from the sides of the branches; the leaves that come off the tops and bottoms of branches are closely appressed. Eastern Hemlock rarely occurs in the Piedmont — there is an outpost in Wake County, NC.

Carroll Co., VA 4/26/08.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 5/24/2009.