Hemlock, Canadian

This is the Canadian Hemlock, or Tsuga canadensis. It is a medium to large evergreen reaching up to 90 feet tall and capable of living for 600 years under ideal conditions. While rare in the lower Midwest, it's common in the Upper Lake States and thrives in the cool, moist, shady environments of the Northeast and Appalachia. Its bark, once used extensively for tanning leather due to its high tannin content, is a thick, dark reddish-brown with flat-topped ridges. The tree features a straight, clear trunk and a dense, feathery crown with drooping branches. It grows rapidly in the right conditions but slowly under deep shade. Canadian Hemlock offers valuable habitat for moose, deer, birds, snowshoe hares, and porcupines. It does not tolerate wind, sun, or drought but is easily transplanted thanks to shallow roots. Its flat, ½-inch needles are dark green above and white underneath, with small cones under 1 inch that mature in fall after one growing season.