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 is similar to the smaller, less common, and less widespread Carolina Hemlock (T. 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.
Alleghany Co., NC 5/29/05.
Healthy spring growth from a sapling in an infested area.
Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08.
