| Eastern Hemlock |
| Location: Oval, across from Faculty Parking Lot |
| Scientifically known as Tsuga canadensis, this native North
American evergreen, the Eastern Hemlock, is soft and graceful with its
fine texture and short flattened needles. It is the state tree of
Pennsylvania. Hemlocks prefer cool, moist and well drained soils
with no wind. Unlike most evergreen trees, hemlocks thrive in
dense shade. Its pyramidal shape can grow larger than 100 feet tall, although they generally reach 40-70 feet in height with a spread of 30 feet. The tallest of this species in Ohio is found in the Hocking Valley forest parks, where it grows up to 149 feet tall. Very large specimens are also found in Mohican State Forest. There are two white lines on the underside of the needles. These lines represent four rows of stomata (openings for gas exchange) which are too small to be seen without a lens. The cones are among the smallest of the Pine Family. Male cones are very small and are dropped from the tree after shedding their pollen in the Spring. Female cones are persistent, one half to one inch long, and turn light brown in the Autumn when their seeds are released. They are often produced in very large numbers, at the ends of branches. Hemlocks provide food and shelter for many woodland animals such as deer. The Eastern Hemlock is sensitive to auto emissions and salt spray so it is not suitable for exposed urban settings. It is not a good Christmas tree because it sheds its needles very quickly. The lumber of Eastern Hemlock is used in building construction (framing, sheathing, subflooring, and roof boards) and in the manufacture of boxes, pallets, and crates. Eastern Hemlock is also used in the production of paper. In earlier times many trees were harvested for their bark which was used in tanning leather. -- Brandi Stover
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