Hemlock
ExploreTrees
Hemlock
Tsuga
Hemlocks are tall evergreen trees with soft needles and small cones. They provide homes for birds and squirrels and help keep the forest cool and shady.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Hemlock has a graceful, conical shape with a distinctive drooping leader branch at its very top. Its short, flat needles are dark green above with two silvery-white lines underneath, and it produces small, oval, light brown cones.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyPinaceaeGenusTsuga
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A tiny sap-sucking insect pest called the adelgid threatens hemlock forests.
Hemlock trees create uniquely cool, moist, and shady forest environments.
Its bark was a traditional source for tanning animal hides into leather.
Some ancient hemlock trees have lived for over 1,000 years!
Special abilities
Ability
Shade Master
Hemlock can thrive in deep forest shade, allowing it to grow where other trees cannot survive.
Ability
Winter Armor
Hemlock has flexible branches and a drooping leader that helps it shed heavy snow and ice, preventing damage.
Ability
Ancient Survivor
Hemlock can live for hundreds of years, establishing stable, long-lasting forest communities for wildlife.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-50 m
- Canopy Spread
- 10-15 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 60-150 cm
- Lifespan
- 400-800 years
- Fruit Type
- Cone
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Adelges tsugae
Tiny insects suck sap, causing harm to the tree.
eats
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer browse its needles and twigs, especially in winter.
shelters
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Black bears sometimes den within hollows of old hemlock trees.
shelters
Northern Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys sabrinus
These squirrels often nest in the dense canopy of hemlock trees.
Traits
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Coniferous
Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Toxic
Toxic organisms contain substances that are poisonous and can cause adverse effects upon exposure.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Enjoy the beauty of hemlock trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Hemlock?
30-50 m
How wide does Hemlock spread?
10-15 m
Is Hemlock edible?
No
How big is Hemlock?
60-150 cm
How long does Hemlock live?
400-800 years
Where is Hemlock usually found?
Forests
What kind of fruit does Hemlock produce?
Cone
How fast does Hemlock grow?
Medium
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