The genus Tsuga of the pine family, characterized by flattened needles with two white lines beneath the needlelike leaves, which have distinct short stalks. The cones are small and pendent. Eastern hemlock (T. canadensis) occurs in eastern Canada, the Great Lakes states, and the Appalachians. Minutely toothed leaves are characteristic of this species. The wood is hard and strong, and is used for construction, boxes, crates, and paper pulp. The bark is one of the principal domestic sources of tannin. The eastern hemlock is a common ornamental tree. Carolina hemlock (T. caroliniana), a species found in the southern Appalachians, has entire needles and is sometimes grown as an ornamental. The western hemlock (T. heterophylla) grows in the extreme Northwest and in Alaska. Its needles resemble those of the eastern hemlock, but the white lines beneath are not so distinct. It is an important lumber tree, with uses similar to these of the eastern species. |
