Hemlock trees are native to both coasts of North America, especially where there is an abundant of water year-round. Hemlock trees are considered by many people and landscapers that live on the coastal regions, as the most graceful of the evergreen trees. That can be used in their home landscapes.
Hemlock trees got their first glory when the discovery of tannin was found in the bark of hemlock trees, and with the tanning business starting to boom. The Hemlock tree groves became devastated by the greed of this tannin. Thanks to the German chemical industry a substitute for this tannin was found. But the unfortunate occurrence already took place, all the virgin hemlock trees were gone and the vast industry lost.
Hemlock trees are monoecious just like their cousins the arborvitaes. Monoecious means that there are flowers ( pine cones ) that grow on the tip of their branches.
Since hemlock trees produce a great many seedlings, the ground underneath these trees will generally be covered with plants and seedlings a various growth stages. If you find a few of the seedlings to be a bit different, move them out from under the hemlock tree that it was growing so it can get complete sun and water. If you don’t the potential for it to die off, is far greater because the parent hemlock tree will hinder both the sun and rain.
Hemlock trees like most other evergreens prefer a more acidic soil. During times of extreme drought, hemlocks will actually lose their needles. Make sure if your witnessing this that you give your hemlock trees a good drink. They should come back rather quickly.
The knots that are in Hemlock wood, are extremely hard. This made it very difficult for old-fashioned equipment to cut. Hemlock wood would quickly dull this equipment, making it even harder to cut. But hemlock wood is very stable and strong.
