Eastern Hemlock

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a medium sized coniferous tree. It is part of the tour, because it is one of the only conifers in the park. They are typically pretty trees, with short green needles and tiny cones. However, many Hemlocks have been infected with Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, which is an invasive pest. This has killed off many of them throughout their range. These Hemlocks here are infected. HWA resembles small white dots on the needles. Fortunately, the entire species in not at risk of extinction, because Hemlocks live in places too cold for HWA to survive, such as Maine and southern Canada. These trees are native, and are the state tree of Pennsylvania.

These trees are near a picnic table and a garden next to the parking lot. These trees have a scraggly appearance, as their lower branches have died off.

Side note:

The Watson House is standing towards the woods here, far away from the parking lot. It is part of the park and is the oldest house in Mercer County.