Tsuga canadensis (Linnaeus) Carrière. Eastern Hemlock, Canada Hemlock, Spruce Pine, Hemlock Spruce. Phen: Mar-Apr; Sep-Nov. Hab: In a wide variety of habitats in the mountains, most typically and abundantly in moist sites in ravines or coves along streams, but likely to be found in all but the driest habitats between 300 and 1500 m (even occurring in peaty bogs, where it has a sickly yellow color and short life expectancy); in the western Piedmont of NC limited to progressively rarer microhabitats (primarily north-facing river bluffs), reaching its eastward limit in NC at a disjunct stand at Hemlock Bluff State Natural Area, Wake County (but uncommon in the Piedmont of VA and even present, though rare, in the Coastal Plain of VA). Dist: Widespread in ne. North America, south to w. and c. VA, w. and (rarely) c. NC, nw. SC, n. GA, n. AL, TN, KY, IN, WI, and MN.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Other Comments: One of the largest trees commonly encountered nowadays in parts of our area, but probably not naturally larger than many other trees – because of its low timber value, it was often left by loggers. The hemlock woolly adelgid is severely affecting this species.

Synonymy: = C, F, FNA2, G, K1, K3, K4, Mi, Mo1, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WV, Price (1989); = n/a – Il

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
• Midwest: FACU
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily: 4