A hemlock is a coniferous tree, identifiable by its small, flat needles that have parallel rows of white lines on the undersides and are connected individually to the branch by a small stem. There are currently 10 distinct species of hemlocks in the world, but two are native to eastern North America: the eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and the Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana). Eastern hemlocks are the most widespread, while the Carolina hemlock is mostly limited to Western North Carolina.

July 22, 2024