Keele University
Keele University Arboretum
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Eastern Hemlock Tsuga canadensis
Origin: Hemlocks are closely related to spruces and their timber is mainly used in paper making. Eastern Hemlock was the first member of the genus known to Europeans and its name derives from the scent of the crushed foliage which is said to resemble that of the poisonous herb Hemlock Conium maculatum.
Tree: In its native Eastern Canada and Appalachian Mountains it is a slender tree but in Britain where it is frequently planted - but not as often as Western hemlock - it forms a broad crown; as can be seen in the photograph. While Western Hemlock forms a good hedging plant, Eastern does not.
The foliage of the Western and Eastern Hemlocks is very similar, being rather Yew-like in appearance. The critical difference is the line of reversed leaves along the top of the branch so that the white undersides of the leaves are uppermost.
Other good features, though, are that the Eastern has young shoots with long hairs (Western has mixed long and short hairs), pointed buds (Western are rounded at apex), and leaves tapering towards the apex (Western are parallel sided). In outline, the leading shoot of Western Hemlock droops whereas it does not in Eastern.
At Keele : We have one remaining tree, which can be found on the "island" in Lake 3; compartment 13a; square P13. The one illustrated has recently been uprooted by gales and has since been removed.
