DESCRIPTION: These evergreen trees are commonly known as Hemlock or Hemlock Spruce. Hemlocks
are found wild in North America, the Himalayas, Japan and China. Most of these trees are hardy and as other
Conifers (cone-bearing tree), need a fairly clean atmosphere to survive. Hemlock can be distinguished from
other Conifers by its flat, linear, dark green leaves, which have two long, whitish lines on their lower surfaces.
Each leaf is attached to a little woody stem that remains on the twig after the leaves fall. Leaves also grow
along the upper surfaces of the twigs. The leaves will grow up to *-inch in length. The have rounded or
slightly notched tips. The cones are pendant and grow * to * of an inch long. They mature at the end of the
first season, but often stay on the twigs during the winter. This tree can grow over 80 feet in height with a
diameter up to 3 feet. The Hemlock is a very handsome shade or ornamental tree and makes a nice hedge
since it takes to pruning well. Hemlock's bark is high in tannic acid, which was greatly used in tanning hides.
The wood of this evergreen tree is hard, brittle and not very durable; it is used for rough lumber, building
construction, boxes, crates, and as pulpwood. There is a false conception that the Hemlock is poisonous,
however, the twigs and leaves have been used by Indians and woodsmen to brew a tea. The young growth is
said to have been an ingredient in old-fashioned root beer. The Poison Hemlock was taken from a completely
different plant, a member of the Parsley family. The Mountain Hemlock, T. Mertensiana, is a lovely tree that
often exceeds 100 feet in height.. It has soft, bluish-green leaves and its cones are usually 1* to 2 inches
long. It is found from Alaska to California. T. heterophylla, the Western American Hemlock grows up to 220
feet high. It is pyramidal in growth and the almost horizontal branches divide into many fine branchlets,
covered with small, dark green leaves.
POTTING: Hemlocks prefer cool, moist places. It is often found along streams and the edges of bogs and
swamps, or on steep northward facing slopes. These trees will tolerate partial shade. Hemlocks need plenty
of room to grow; they shouldn't be crowded by other trees during their development or at maturity. Not much
pruning is necessary for these trees unless you want the lower part of the trunk is to be clear. If this is
desired, do not remove too many of the lower branches all at once, instead take only a few branches each year
until the desired height of clean trunk is attained. When desired for hedge plants, young Hemlocks, no larger
than 1 to 3 feet high, should be used. Place them in deeply dug soil that has been enriched generously with
compost, leaf mold, rotted manure or some other bulky, decayed organic matter. Set them no more than 18 to
24 inches apart. Pruning should be done each spring before new growth begins and if desired, once again
about mid-summer. Established hedges will benefit from a mulch of manure or a dressing of a complete
fertilizer each spring.
PROPAGATION: Trees may be increased by sowing seeds outside in the spring or in containers of light
soil. Young plants may be grown in nursery rows until they are large enough to be placed in their permanent
positions. It is better to set rather small trees in their permanent spots than to try and transplant larger ones,
although, if care is taken, quite large trees can be moved. It is better to transplant in early fall or spring.
Hybrids that won't come true from seed should be increased by cuttings. These are made from half-ripe
shoots and inserted in a propagating case in a greenhouse in late summer or fall. Hybrids may also be
increased by grafting on stocks of their types in the winter.
VARIETIES: T. canadensis (Eastern American Hemlock) & var. pendula (Sargent's Weeping Hemlock),
albo-spica, microphylla, macrophylla, Fremdii, nana & gracilis. T. caroliniana (Carolina Hemlock) & var.
compacta; T. Mertensiana (Mountain Hemlock) & var. argentea; T. heterophylla (Western American
Hemlock); T. diversifolia (Japanese Hemlock); T. Sieboldii; T. dumosa (Himalayan Hemlock); T. chinensis;
T. yunnanensis.
