Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Height: 40 to 70 feet
Spread: 25 to 35 feet
Type: Evergreen
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Suggested: Evergreen Border, Naturalized Area
Tolerate: Clay Soil, Heavy Shade, & Black Walnut
Native to: Jefferson County
The Eastern Hemlock is the sentry of the Jefferson County forest overlooking the many streams and rugged areas of the county with its rich color and deep texture.
The Eastern Hemlock is a native tree to Jefferson County, and is found throughout the eastern United States. The tree typically grows on shallow, rocky, and damp areas and is known to be on hillsides. The Eastern Hemlock has a dense pyramidal growth that is accented by tiny short dark green evergreen needles. Small cones are borne every year and are 3/4” in size. Low branches tend to droop toward the ground and in a tight grove the trees will naturally limb up.
Eastern Hemlock stands are an important habitat and food source for deer during the winter months and also provide cover to grouse and turkey. The dense canopy provides excellent cover for many birds and is preferred by Chickadees as a winter food source.
Eastern Hemlock provides nesting habitat for migratory birds when they travel north for spring including the Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, and Magnolia Warbler. Ruffed Grouse, owls, and Wild Turkeys will roost on the branches of this evergreen tree.
Eastern Hemlock is a host plant to several moth species including the Columbia Silkmoth, False Hemlock Looper Moth, Hemlock Looper Moth, Hemlock Angle. Other feeders of Hemlock include the Black Vine Weevil, sawflies, scales, long-horned beetles, and wood-boring beetles.
The Revered Manasseh Cutler recalled on one of his early trips to Appalachian Ohio using the boughs of the hemlock for bedding within his makeshift t camp. The Mingos called the trees unë'ta', and valued the hemlock for the tannin in its bark. Medicinal teas and ointments were made from the bark. The bark’s tannin was also important in the tanning of leather. In addition, the bark was used to produce dyes for leather and wool, a practice that lives on today in parts of the country.
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is the primary insect threat. ■
