Eastern+Hemlock

Eastern Hemlock picture-



Eastern Hemlock General Info.- A large, long- lived tree, important for construction timber, and a source of tannic acid for tanning leather. Found in cool, moist woods throughout the Commonwealth, Eastern Hemlock is the offical state tree of Pennsylvania. Ruffled Grouse, wild turkey, and song birds find food (seeds) and shelter in this tree. Deer browse it heavily when deep snow makes other food scarce.

Leaves- Evergreen needles occor singly, appearing 2-ranked on twigs, flattened, about 1/2" long, dark green and glossy, light green with 2 white lines below.

Twigs- Slender tough, yellowish brown color. Buds are 1/2" and color long, reddish brown.

Fruit- Cones 3/4" long, egg-shaped, hanging singly fron the tip of the twigs, under each scale are two small, winged seeds.

Bark- Flaky on young trees, gray brown to red brown, thick and roughly grooved when older.