Eastern hemlock, Canada hemlock

Language English

Onglets

Description

This 19 to 25 m tall tree has flattened 1 to 2 cm long needles, each with a petiole, arranged in 2 ranks on the twig. The upper surface of the leaf is shiny dark green and beneath there are 2 wide bluish-white bands. The bark is grayish-brown and scaly when young, becoming reddish and deeply furrowed, with broad ridges, as it ages.

Reproduction

The cones are less than 2 cm long and mature in the autumn of the first year, and are shed the following spring. This tree flowers at age 20 to 60 years, and every 2 or 3 years thereafter. Both male and female cones are borne on the same tree.

Habitat, distribution

Eastern hemlock usually grows in moist, shady and rocky sites, such as slopes with a northern exposure, alongside streams and lakes and near marshes. It is found in sugar maple-hickory, sugar maple-linden and sugar maple-yellow birch stands.

Ecology

Eastern hemlock sometimes forms pure stands, but is usually mixed with other species, mostly yellow birch, but also white pine, red and white spruce, sugar maple and American beech. It is very shade tolerant and is able to grow in the shade of other trees. An individual tree may live for up to 600 years.

Uses and effects

It is used in the raw state for beams, railway ties, culverts, crates and bridge decks. It is also used in the pulp and paper industry. Because dead branches persist on the tree, it produces many remarkably hard knots, capable of dulling an axe blade in no time. It is not suitable for campfires, because the burning wood throws sparks and cinders for up to several metres.

Scientific name

Tsuga canadensis

French name

Pruche du Canada, pruche de l'Est

Plant form

Conifer

Family

Pinaceae

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Eastern hemlock, Canada hemlock

Onglets

Description

Reproduction

Habitat, distribution

Ecology

Uses and effects

Scientific name

French name

Plant form

Family

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