Tsuga caroliniana
Bot. Gaz. 6: 223. 1881.
Trees to 30m; trunk to 2m diam.; crown conic. Bark brown, scaly and fissured. Twigs light-brown, thinly covered with short, dark hairs. Buds oblong, 2–3mm. Leaves 10–20mm, mostly spreading in all directions from twigs, flat but slightly revolute; abaxial surface glaucous, with 2 broad, conspicuous stomatal bands, adaxial surface shiny green; margins entire. Seed-cones ovoid to oblong, 2.5–4 × 1.5–2.5cm; scales oblong, 12–18 × 8–12mm, bases clawed, apex rounded. 2n =24.
Habitat: Rocky montane slopes
Elevation: 700–1200m
Distribution
Ga., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Va.
Discussion
Tsuga caroliniana is valuable as an attractive ornamental; a number of cultivars have been developed. The wood is of little commercial importance because of the combination of mediocre quality and the relative rarity of the species in nature.