Canadian hemlock

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Tsuga canadensis
CANADIAN HEMLOCK

Pinaceae
E. North America

Location: map coordinates P-17 (northeast corner of Thomasson Building), N 39°11'9'' W 75°32'39''

Planting history: presently unknown.

Description:
  • tall evergreen tree, conifer
  • etymology: Tsuga from the Japanese name; canadensis = of Canada
  • leaves needle-like, small, flat; with 2 parallel white lines beneath (each white line is a waxy layer covering rows of microscopic stomates)
  • cones small, brown, few-scaled
  • very beautiful tree. Top of tree droops, distinctive from a distance
  • bark high in tannin; formerly used to tan hides, e.g. during Civil War
  • wood poor quality
  • under attack by wooly adelgids (scale insects)
  • habitat mature forests, north side of slopes, cool ravines
  • native range primarily northeastern; growing south in mountains to Georgia

Native species, State Rank S1 (extremely rare, and of conservation concern) in New Castle County piedmont in Delaware. Possibly State Rank SH (historical; historically known in Delaware, but not seen in >20 years). Also naturalized and appearing to be native

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