Eastern Hemlock

Eastern hemlock
(π‘»π’”π’–π’ˆπ’‚ π‘ͺπ’‚π’π’‚π’…π’†π’π’”π’Šπ’”)
Conservation Status:  Near threatened (Population decreasing)

Photo Credit: Plant Image Library/Flickr

Photo Credit: Plant Image Library/Flickr

Photo Credit: Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr

Photo Credit: Photo of invasive hemlock woolly adelgid by Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr

Facts:  The eastern hemlock can commonly be seen if you walk along the Cutts Island Trail in Kittery. Part of the pine family, this evergreen tree can grow anywhere from 40 to 70 feet tall. You can identify this tree by its flat leaves and single needles. If you flip over the needles, the underside has two lines of white stomata running underneath them. Stomata are microscopic openings, or pores, that allow gas exchange between the tree and the surrounding air.

The eastern hemlock has been historically valued for its bark as an important source of tannin for the leather industry, but nowadays you might see this wood used for light framing, roofing, boxes and crates, and pulping.  

Ongoing Refuge Project:  On the Cutts Island Trail, however, you might see a pink flag tied around the branch of one of these trees. Ever wonder what they are? These pink flags represent ongoing research being done to combat hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive aphid-like insect that feeds on hemlocks and can lead to eventual mortality of affected trees. For several years, RCNWR has been working with the State Forest Services to bring in πΏπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘π‘œπ‘π‘–π‘’𝑠 π‘œπ‘ π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠, a hemlock woolly adelgid eating beetle, to combat hemlock woolly adelgid and create an insectary for future beetle collection. Release sites of this beneficial beetle are marked with the pink flag tape along the Cutts Island Trail (so please leave the tape where it is!) On December 5th Rachel Carson NWR, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service (Robert Cooke) and the Maine Forest Service, released a third shipment of this predator beetle! The hope is that the insectary will one day help mitigate the effects of hemlock woolly adelgid in other areas of the Refuge and State. 

Sources:  https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_tsca.pdf, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/tsuga-canadensis/, https://www.britannica.com/science/stomate