|
|
|
|
| Botanical Name | Tsuga Canadensis |
| Common Name(s) | Eastern hemlock, Canada hemlock, hemlock spruce |
| Light and Soil Requirement | Part sun to shade; prefers cool, moist to very moist, well-drained soil. |
| Zones of Hardiness | 4 to 7 |
| Height & Width | 40 to 70 feet tall, 15 to 30 feet wide |
| Leaf Arrangement | Opposite evergreen needles |
| Form / Shape | Pyramidal |
| Leaf Color | .5 to .75 inch glossy green needles |
| Special Attributes | Eastern hemlock is the most shade tolerant of all tree species. The tree is capable of withstanding suppression for as long as 400 years.
Source: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/tsuga/canadensis.htm |
| Common to your area? | Yes |
| Is this plant native to the US? | Yes |
| Management | Eastern hemlock is generally restricted to regions with cool, humid climates.
Tsuga canadensis should not be planted with Picea abies because Picea is the host to woolly adelgid. Fully stocked stands of eastern hemlock tend to develop similar microclimates because of their dense canopy, dense shading, deep duff layer, and subsequent retention of moisture and uniformly low temperatures. Understories typically do not develop, but when they do, vegetation tends to be similar to other forest types in the area although fewer species become established. Source: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=TSCA |
| Pests and potential problems | Tsuga canadensis is currently threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid.
Drought is a serious damaging agent to eastern hemlock. Several diseases affect the needles and twigs of eastern hemlock. Rust is one of the most damaging. Lower foliage in very wet and shady areas often has a grayish mat appearance on both the needles and twigs caused by fungi and occasionally causes a black, sooty growth on the needles. Numerous fungi are associated with the root system but rarely develop conks or kill trees. Although many insects attack eastern hemlock, few besides hemlock woolly adelgid are economically important. The most important is the hemlock borer, which attacks weakened trees. Symptoms usually consist of woodpecker-like holes in the bark, galleries filled with dark excrement, and yellowing shoot tips. Spruce budworm, defoliates and kills hemlock after defoliating all the balsam fir in a stand. Numerous animals, such as white-tailed deer, snowshoe hares, cottontails, mice, voles and squirrels feed on eastern hemlock and can cause serious damage. Source: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/tsuga/canadensis.htm |
| Have you used this plant? | Yes |
| Why would you use/not use this plant? | Tsuga canadensis is suitable for a wide variety of uses, such as hedging or screening, and group or specimen plantings, and can tolerate a significant amount of shade. |
| Where can you find this plant? Wholesale/Retail | Tsuga canadensis is widely available at wholesale and retail prices at most local, regional and national garden centers and many online vendors. |
| How do you personally identify this plant? | By its delicate evergreen needles, small, oval cones and broad pyramid shape. |
| What are your personal thoughts about this plant? | Excellent screen; useful for cool shade and northern slopes; |
| Wildlife | Eastern hemlock attracts birds, butterflies and moths. It is the larval host and nectar source for Columbia silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia). Many species of wildlife benefit from the excellent habitat that a dense stand of hemlock provides.
Source: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=TSCA |
| Ethnobotany | Lumber production from eastern hemlock reached its peak between 1890 and 1910. Primary uses were in light framing, sheathing, roofing, subflooring, boxes, crates, and general millwork. Much of the present production is used in pulping or newsprint and wrapping papers, but the demand for hemlock lumber appears to be increasing again.
Currently, eastern hemlock stands are considered essential for shelter and bedding of white-tailed deer during the winter. In regions of marked reductions in type area, many public agencies have restricted cutting until reliable methods of regenerating the stand become operational. The type also is considered important as cover for ruffed grouse, turkeys, and many other animals. Hemlock bark was once the source of tannin for the leather industry; now the wood is important to the pulp and paper industry. Source: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/tsuga/canadensis.htm Canadian hemlock was commonly employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes used it to treat a variety of complaints. It is still sometimes used in modern herbalism where it is valued for its astringent and antiseptic properties. The bark is rich in tannin and is astringent and antiseptic. A decoction is used in the treatment of diarrhea, colitis, diverticulitis and cystitis. Externally, it is used as a poultice to cleanse and tighten bleeding wounds, as a douche to treat excessive vaginal discharge, thrush and a prolapsed uterus, and as a mouthwash and gargle for gingivitis and sore throats. The poultice has also been applied to the armpits to treat itchiness there. The inner bark is diaphoretic and styptic. An infusion is used in the treatment of colds and abdominal pains. A decoction of the inner bark has been applied externally in the treatment of eczema and other skin conditions. The pulverized inner bark has been applied to cuts and wounds to stop the bleeding. A tea made from the leafy twig tips is used in the treatment of dysentery, kidney ailments, colds and rheumatism. Externally, it is used in steam baths for treating colds, rheumatism and to induce sweating. A decoction of the branches has been boiled down to a syrup or thick paste and used as a poultice on arthritic joints. Hemlock pitch has been used externally as a counter-irritant in the treatment of rheumatism. Source: http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Tsuga+canadensis |
oasis 
