Native Trees of Prince Edward Island
Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Background:
Although common in a few areas, hemlocks are quite rare across PEI. Many older barns and homes were sided with hemlock boards, but the wood is not as valuable as pine or spruce. No other plant in the province is as rich in tannin, and so hemlock bark was much in demand for tanning leather. Hemlock has a life expectancy of between 300-400 years. When large trees fall down, they take a long time to decompose and provide both nutrients and moisture to young seedlings.

Closeup of Eastern Hemlock needles. Photo Beth Hoar.

Hemlock is one of our largest native trees, reaching a height of over 22m (70') and a diameter of 1-1.3 m (3-4'). The small, flat needles resemble those of balsam fir, but are smaller and attached to the stem by a small, string-like stalk. The ends of the branches and leader also droop, unlike the balsam fir branches which grow straight out to the end. Because of this characteristic, older hemlock trees have a very round profile when seen from a distance, while fir are noticeably pointed.

Small Eastern Hemlock. Photo Beth Hoar.

Often found along streams, hemlock flourishes in areas of high humidity but without standing water. It grows best in rich, well-drained land, growing with yellow birch, sugar maple, red maple, white pine and red spruce.

Cones can be collected from the tree when ripe in late September and treated the same as red spruce. An easier method is to find a 4-10 year-old forest road that has been bulldozed through a stand containing good hemlocks. You will usually find healthy seedlings growing on the roadway. These transplant easily and can go into a shaded nursery bed, at 15-30 cm (12") spacings depending on the size of the seedlings. In a few years you can use these transplants for your forest, streamside or home plantings. Placing rotted wood in the hole when planting out will make sure the seedling does not dry out and provide nutrients for future growth. Seedlings should be mulched well.

Hemlock seed is a preferred food for American goldfinch, boreal chickadee, ruffed grouse, pine siskin and red-winged and white-winged crossbills. Many other species of birds and mammals also eat the seeds, and snowshoe hare browse young shoots. Large, old hemlock are used by raccoon for dens and provide cavities and nesting sites for a wide variety of birds. Hemlocks also offer great cover and protection for both small and large birds and at Macphail Woods the largest hemlock contains a hive of honeybees that has overwintered for many years. As large trees start to break up and die, red-backed salamanders are common under the loose bark on standing trees. Amphibians can also be found under and around hemlocks that have fallen to the ground.

American goldfinch.

All efforts should be made to conserve this species, since it has been so heavily harvested on the Island. While it could be selectively harvested from areas that have sufficient amounts of hemlock, these types of woodlands are few and far between. Since it is our most shade tolerant conifer, hemlock is an excellent species for underplanting. After thinning a hardwood or mixed wood stand, plant hemlock at rates of 12-25 per hectare (5-10 per acre). The high humidity levels and slightly-opened canopy make for excellent growing conditions. It can also be used to speed up the natural succession in old fields, especially those that have poplar mixed in with the white spruce. Plant in small patch cuts with white pine, sugar maple and yellow birch (this is where it may be useful to put rotting wood in the planting hole) or underplant amongst the poplars. As with red spruce, they should not be planted beneath older white spruce as they tend to suffer more insect damage. This species is also well-suited to streamside plantings where there is some existing cover.

Large Eastern Hemlock.

For more pictures and descriptions of this species, check out the Atlantic Forestry Centre, the CFS N.B. Trees Page, or the Dendrology at Virginia Tech Page. For a thorough review of the ecology of this species, refer to the Silvics of North America.

Eastern Hemlock typical form.

Eastern Hemlock needles.

In 1806, John Stewart wrote an excellent description of Forest Trees and Other Vegetable Productions on PEI at that time.

P.E.I. Forest Policy Notes:

Read more here.

We offer a number of workshops and guided tours at the Macphail Woods and it is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the native trees of Prince Edward Island. Check out the Events Calendar for more information. Web development and maintenance by Chris Martin.

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