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.

Alleghany Co., NC 5/29/05.

Healthy spring growth from a sapling in an infested area.

Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08.

It is difficult to take a photo of Eastern Hemlock without Hemlock Woolly Adelgids in it.

Carroll Co., VA 7/3/06.

A hopeful sign - a ladybug (ladybird beetle) larva eating adelgids.

Carroll Co., VA 7/3/06.

A typical 20 year old tree, severely impacted by the woolly adelgids for the last 10 years, but still putting on a little new growth.

Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.

Note that the branches are mostly bare.

Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.

Bark of a dead tree, with fungi growing out of it. There are many more dead trees than live ones in North Carolina and Virginia.

Carroll Co., VA 4/10/2011.

Dead trees.

Carroll Co., VA 4/10/2011.