Tree Talk: Eastern Hemlock

Let's spend some time this Tree Talk with eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), a slow-growing, long-living wonder of the Appalachians and Great Lakes region. The most shade-tolerant tree species in eastern forests, hemlock can become a climax canopy tree in forests with suitable soils, though we have almost no old-growth forests left in the east for the mighty hemlock to dominate. Eastern hemlock was industrially important as a source of tannins at the turn of the 19th century, though its lumber has never been of very high value. Hemlock is the state tree of Pennsylvania, and deserves that status; it is ecologically valuable and a symbol of life spent in the shade.
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Recorded on 1/30/22 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania by shade-tolerant Allyson Davis.

[@ssgg23]

Love how you explained they prefer areas that resemble climates to the north. It explains why hemlock forests resemble those northern transitional forests we see further up in Maine more closely than forests dominated by other trees.

[@thomasfranklin4307]

The hat looks perfect with your Sudbury dinner jacket.

[@Donneczka1]

I live your videos! I am in Michigan, a hiker and want to know more about what I am looking at all the time. Don’t want to say, “trees all look alike” anymore! Slowly I am learning more characteristics and learning to identify trees on my walks and hikes. Your videos help! 👍

[@tolbaszy8067]

Excellent presentation! You did not mention one aspect of the hemlock preference for riparian sites: the shade they provide cools brooks and streams. Cooler water is necessary for fish species like trout. The uprooted trees also provide structure in the stream for fish and invertebrate habitat. Thanks for the video!

[@forestsforthebay4784]

That's an important point to make! We like to say that trout grow on trees :)

[@DreMSeries]

We have two mature Eastern Hemlocks in our backyard, same size as you show in the old growth forest. I call them the guardians of our home! Thanks for the info ☮️

[@GreggObst]

Thank you for producing the single most informative and concise source of information on the Eastern Hemlock that I have been able to find. I've launched a photography book project this year with its goal of being able to document as many aspects of the old-growth forests we have here in the NorthEast with a concentration on both Eastern Hemlock and White Pines that we still have and sources of information like this are hugely important in my understanding of the topic. Thanks !

[@forestsforthebay4784]

That's wonderful; glad the video was so helpful! Let us know when the project is done; we'd love to check it out!!

[@amund9173]

It's nice learning about trees from the other side of the "pond"! Greetings from Norway. :)

[@nathanlaing8441]

Any recommendations for similar accounts for trees/plants across the pond? ;) cheers

[@amund9173]

@@nathanlaing8441 I haven’t really found any European channels yet. 🤔

[@lbopp8661]

Thank you! Now I know the name of the tree in my yard with the little cute cones. Birds seem to love it. In Massachusetts

[@onetuliptree]

I've looked at online resources, but the scientific terms are intimidating, thank you for showing what the terms mean, and a close look at a beautiful tree!

[@thepoofster2251]

Brilliant video! I'm currently doing a school project where I have to find every conifer family in my area. Hemlock is my final target and this has served as a good primer

[@leftovermike4663]

Living in western pa there’s a good amount of these, considering the fact you mentioned they like cool damp areas. Beautiful thank you for sharing

[@dmitrichehova6059]

I know these very well now, and it's neat to see so many of them around most of my jobs in the country. Wood essential oils is what made me suddenly become a tree 'expert'. I definitely have a new found appreciation for trees and I love the aroma of this one right here.. probably my favorite.

[@personwhoexists4491]

Just the type of videos I was looking for.

[@brianhalliday2384]

My home is on the north slope of a glacial moraine in Northern Michigan, about a half mile from the Lake Michigan shore. Hemlocks proliferate here, with spring fed creeks running off the bowl around our 10,000 acre inland lake, Crystal Lake. You perfectly describe all of the characteristics of the tree that surrounds my home. The birds love them, but they totally poison the soil and prevent any competition, including ferns, wildflowers and native birch & maple from growing. Great video. This is wonderful entertainment for a woods nerd like myself.

[@vegansrock1000]

Enjoying and getting a lot from your videos. Thank you!

[@benjaminwagner4702]

Thank you so much for the video. Such a great show

[@numinut]

thanks a bunch for this and all you do

[@EmeraldForester777]

I love this tree and I love this episode, thank you!

[@knitterscheidt]

very nice, a recent visit to Brandywine Falls made me wonder what the tall conifers were around the rocky slopes, next time I'll know what to look for to confirm they are Hemlock

[@nathanlehr8069]

Thank you for all you do educating! We have a wood stand that has not been cut since the early 1930s in north east Michigan. Your videos have been vital in help me know what we have growing!

[@intra9645]

If you ever get lost in the woods... you'll be found for sure with that hat!

[@davids7799]

Love your videos. Saw a discussion on the KZbin New England Forests channel about the value of Tannins . Thought to be very good for the brain and so, beneficial to us as we walk through the forests. Also saw a KZbin channel presentation about the hemlocks at the Heart's Content (?) grove that indicated that the DCNR has been able to protect the old growth stand there from the invasive insect you mentioned. Thanks again for your videos, Very informative and fun to watch.

[@lilyflower5576]

Thank You Sir 🌲

[@robertyoung1777]

Great talk on this beautiful tree!

[@chronus4421]

Thank you!

[@stevemurray6543]

If your viewers like conifers, check out the American Conifer Society, for like minded tree lovers. Your videos are great, your presentations so appreciated and I personally love your presentation style. Only thing better would be to talk in person. Stay well and remain positive.

[@forestsforthebay4784]

Thanks Steve! And I second that recommendation; the American Conifer Society is great!

[@markjones5561]

Another great video. Thank you!

[@derekz8074]

Ryan, what is the tree just behind your orange cap at 0:14 of video. thanks

[@forestsforthebay4784]

Looks like a blackgum, Nyssa silvatica!

[@donnasmith2079]

I live in northern KY, I would like to plant some Eastern hemlock in a area that looks much like where you are standing, It is a wooded area with a creek but I have no evergreens. I have a lot of deer will they eat the seedling?

[@forestsforthebay4784]

Deer sure do love to nibble on hemlock!! I'd recommend building cages out of chicken wire to protect the seedlings until they are out of reach of the deer.

[@someparts]

Smug.