FALLEN: An Art Installation

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Art and Environment

Ed Hessler

The eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is one of my favorite trees; a part of my childhood. At one time in our history they were cut down, harvested is the appropriate word, the bark used for leather making, the tannin in the bark was the important ingredient.

A site-specific installation, FALLEN, was created in response to the loss of a single eastern hemlock at Olana by Jean Shin. The eastern hemlock from which it was made died of natural causes despite efforts to save it.  There are 15 views.

The eastern hemlock is now under severe threat from an introduced insect, the Hemlock wooly adelgid. Because of the role of eastern hemlock in so many forests, the ecological effects of their loss will result in large community and ecosystem changes.