Eastern hemlock

Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), also known as Canadian hemlock, Canada hemlock, Hemlock, or Hemlock spruce, is an evergreen conifer tree which is native to most of eastern North America, including northern Alabama. It is noted for tolerating more shade than other evergreens and thrives on north-facing slopes, in deep ravines, and along streams.

The tree grows into an upright pyramidal form with a thick furrowed reddish-brown trunk, branches extending to the ground. The flattened needles are about 1/2" to 3/4" long, paired, growing in two rows along each sprig. The small seed cones, up to an inch long, emerge as tight green ovals and mature to open gray-brown cones in mid-October, releasing small seeds to be dispersed by wind.

Hemlock lumber is a medium-brown colored coarse-grained softwood. It is used in making paper, railroad ties, pallets, crates and framed buildings. The bark is rich in tannins and was formerly used to tan hides.

Eastern hemlock is vulnerable to infestation by the hemlock wooly adelgid, an invasive aphid-like insect. Affected trees are unable to maintain their needles, which turn brown and fall, weakening the tree making it more vulnerable to other threats and usually resulted in death within 3 to 5 years.

Alabama's "Champion" eastern hemlock, first recognized in 1992, is 120 feet tall with an average diameter of 25 feet and a trunk diameter of 48.4 inches. It is located in the William B. Bankhead National Forest in Winston County.

References

• Angel, Josh (2023) "Trees of Alabama: Eastern Hemlock." Alabama's Treasured Forests. Alabama Forestry Commission, Vol. 42, No. 3, p. 32