Both hemlock and pine wood belong to the pine family. Hemlock is also known as pine wood but with only a few knots. The Pinaceae
Pinaceae
The Pinaceae are trees or shrubs, including many of the well-known conifers of commercial importance such as cedars, firs, hemlocks, larches, pines and spruces. The family is included in the order Pinales, formerly known as Coniferales. Pinaceae are supported as monophyletic by thei…
How to plant and grow a hemlock tree?
Propagating Canadian Hemlock
- Cut the new part of a branch that grew in the current season. ...
- To encourage successful rooting, dip the base of the cutting entirely in a rooting hormone powder used for woody shrubs and trees.
- Place the cutting in a pot filled with well-drained potting mix. ...
Do hemlock trees lose their leaves?
Do hemlock trees lose their leaves? As the season progresses, these buds swell, turn gray and wax out. As the hemlock grows, it suffers, drops leaves, turns brown, and even drops branches and new shoots. Insecticidal soap sprays are a good remedy for this problem, but you need to make sure the wood is completely saturated with water.
Is a hemlock tree an evergreen?
Known as Tsuga in Japanese, hemlock is an evergreen tree that belongs to the pine family and the subfamily – Abietoideae. Research shows that there are about 10 species of hemlock. Four of these species belong to America, while the other six are native to regions in Asia.
How many kinds of hemlock trees are there?
The Hemlock Tree is from the evergreen conifer classification. There are up to ten species of the tree, the most common being the Eastern Hemlock and the Western Hemlock. It was given the genus name tsugan by Stephen L. Endlicher who was a botanist from Austria.
How tall is a Canadian hemlock?
What do hemlock cones look like?
How to identify hemlock trees?
What are the leaves of a hemlock tree called?
How long are hemlock leaves?
How to tell if a hemlock tree is a pine tree?
What is the family of hemlock?
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What is the difference between hemlock and pine?
It is much stronger and harder than pine. It is used as cribbing (jacking timbers) and in situations requiring high strength. Green hemlock is very heavy but is easily worked with tools. Once dry, hemlock is very difficult to work.
What type of tree is a hemlock?
hemlock, (genus Tsuga), any of about 14 species of coniferous evergreen trees comprising the genus Tsuga of the family Pinaceae, native to North America and central and eastern Asia.
Is hemlock a fir or pine?
Pine, spruce, fir, and hemlock (and several others) are all conifers in the botanical family Pinaceae. Each of these trees are, technically, in the pine family and this may be why many people see an evergreen tree and call it a pine.
Is the hemlock pine tree poisonous?
Toxicity. Poison-hemlock is acutely toxic to people and animals, with symptoms appearing 20 minutes to three hours after ingestion. All parts of the plant are poisonous and even the dead canes remain toxic for up to three years. The amount of toxin varies and tends to be higher in sunny areas.
What is a hemlock tree good for?
Hemlock is a great wood that works well with machines and hand tools. Mostly Hemlock is used to make boxes, roofing, crates, light framing, and other sign construction items. It is strong with unique qualities that are so useful in woodworking.
What is special about hemlock trees?
Hemlock roots hold stream banks in place; and their branches shade the water keeping water temperatures stable, cooler, and more oxygenated—a necessary condition for many aquatic species like brook trout. Their dense foliage intercepts precipitation, preventing nutrient run-off and sedimentation.
Can hemlock hurt you if you touch it?
All parts of this plant contain toxic alkaloids that can be fatal even in small amounts. The alkaloids can affect nerve impulse transmission to your muscles, eventually killing you through respiratory failure. Even touching this plant may cause a skin reaction in some people. To date, there is no antidote.
Is hemlock tree poisonous to the touch?
Poison hemlock isn't like poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. You usually won't get a rash from touching it. Most of the time, hemlock is only poisonous if ingested.
Do hemlock trees make good lumber?
If you're shocked by skyrocketing lumber prices, you might consider underutilized Maine hemlock for your next project. Hemlock's strength and durability have long made it the material of choice for building garages, sheds and barns.
What was hemlock bark used for?
Hemlock bark was an important vegetable tanning material in North America for many years producing the characteristic red leather of 19th century America (Roberts and Etherington 1982). The extract was also used as a dye to produce colors ranging from a pinkish tan to a dark gray.
What does poisonous hemlock look like?
Look for small clusters of white flowers that eventually develop into “green, deeply ridged fruit that contains several seeds,” USDA states. “After maturity, the fruit turns grayish brown.”
Will dogs eat hemlock?
Poison hemlock is toxic, when ingested, to people, livestock and, yes, cats and dogs. However, only livestock, who may get it mixed up with hay or eat it in large amounts in a field, are likely to eat enough to cause severe poisoning, Schmid says.
Is a hemlock tree an evergreen or deciduous?
evergreenEastern hemlock is a graceful native evergreen tree.
Is hemlock a cedar tree?
0:492:09Meet the Species -- Cedar & Hemlock Trees - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's lines run up and down they're vertical. And they're nice and straight. So cedars they haveMoreIt's lines run up and down they're vertical. And they're nice and straight. So cedars they have scaly leaves and they also have smooth straight bark. Hi i'm hope with glacier peak institute.
Why is it called hemlock tree?
The common name hemlock is derived from a perceived similarity in the smell of its crushed foliage to that of the unrelated plant poison hemlock.
Is a hemlock a fir tree?
Fir trees – nine types grow wild in North America – belong to the genus Abies, while the four North American hemlock species are part of the Tsuga genus. Firs and hemlocks differ in size, foliage and preferred growing conditions; both come in parent form and multiple cultivars suitable for landscaping tasks.
What is a hemlock tree?
Hemlock trees are any of the 8-10 species of medium- to large-sized evergreen conifers that belong to the genus Tsuga of the subfamily Abietoideae . These graceful conifers are named hemlock because the smell of their crushed foliage is similar to that of a flowering plant called poison hemlock. However, the members of the genus Tsuga are not poisonous. They have a variety of uses, as they make popular ornamental and timber trees. The hemlock timber is harder and stronger than that of pine.
What are the different types of conifers?
These include dark-bark spruce, Japanese Douglas-fir, Columbian pine or Douglas fir, bigcone spruce, and bristlecone hemlock. Hemlock Tree.
What are the needles of hemlock used for?
The needles of hemlock are rich in Vitamin C. They are used for making tea.
Is tsuga poisonous?
However, the members of the genus Tsuga are not poisonous. They have a variety of uses, as they make popular ornamental and timber trees. The hemlock timber is harder and stronger than that of pine. Types of Hemlock Trees.
Is hemlock wood pulp threatened?
IUCN Conservation Status. Two common species such as the Eastern Hemlock and Western Hemlock are listed as near threatened and least concern respectively.
What about Yew, or Norfolk Island Pine?
I can’t tell you the articles I’ve read that say that not all pines are edible. And they go on to mention the yew, and the Norfolk Island pine.
Can I Use My Christmas Tree?
As with any food you consume, know its source. Christmas trees are often sprayed with chemicals, and some are even colored to appear more green. If you know that your tree was grown organically, go ahead and use the needles.
How many needles does a pine tree have?
Pine always grow in cluster of 2 to 5 needles but they can vary in length. Pine needles tend to be longer than spruce, fir, or hemlock. Young spruce needles. These will be soft, where mature needles are stiff.
What are the needles on a spruce tree?
Spruce have short, stiff needles. Single needles are attached to the stem with stalk like woody projections. Needles are square and roll in your fingers. Picea needles are attached to branches in a spiral pattern all the way around. Cones point down.
How to identify fir needles?
Fir needles are flat, and soft. Single needles are attached to the stem and look like a suction cup. They often have white stripes on underside of needles. Abies needles are also attached in a spiral pattern, but the needles themselves twist at the bases to produce two double-ranked rows of needles on either side of a branch.
What is the name of the tree that cured the spruce tree?
It was cured with vitamin C from an Iroquois decoction of bark and leaves from an evergreen tree the native Americans called Annedda. The true identity of the Annedda, or tree of life, became controversial but was narrowed down to eastern white cedar, white spruce, black spruce, eastern white pine, red pine, balsam fir, eastern hemlock, and juniper.
What are the different types of Pinaceae?
Each of these Pinaceae family trees – pine, spruce, fir, and hemlock – are in their own Genus:
How long does it take for hemlock to go away after insecticide?
The hemlock woolly adelgid wool (egg sacs) will not disappear immediately after treatment, but will eventually weather away. Examine the new needles one or two years after applying the insecticide to determine if the treatment was effective.
How to report hemlock infestation?
It will be especially helpful to notify MDARD if the infestation is outside of the current infestation areas indicated on their HWA website .
How to report hemlock tree infestation in Michigan?
If it appears your hemlock tree is infested with hemlock woolly adelgid and you would like to confirm your identification, take photos, note the location of the tree and report it to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) by emailing [email protected]. You can also call MDARD at 800-292-3939 to report a suspected hemlock woolly adelgid infestation. It will be especially helpful to notify MDARD if the infestation is outside of the current infestation areas indicated on their HWA website.
What does a hemlock tree look like?
Many people who check their hemlock trees may notice small, white spots that look a bit like hemlock woolly adelgid. Other insects, including the elongate hemlock scale, oak skeletonizer cocoons, caterpillar cocoons or spider egg sacs may be present on hemlock needles or shoots.
How to identify hemlock woolly adelgid?
The easiest way to identify hemlock woolly adelgid is to look at hemlock shoots for the white “wool” the adelgid produces while feeding. Each little white ball of wool, called an egg sac, is actually wax secreted by an adelgid. The adelgids feed at the base of the needles, where the needles attach to the woody portion of the shoot. It is often easier to see hemlock woolly adelgid wool on the undersides of shoots, but you can also find them on the upper side as well.
How to tell if a hemlock tree is a fir or spruce?
Before looking for hemlock woolly adelgid, make sure your tree is a hemlock and not a fir, pine or spruce tree. Hemlocks can be distinguished from pine and spruce by their short, flat needles. Hemlock needles are only about a half-inch long, which is much shorter than most pine needles. You can roll pine and spruce needles between your fingers, but not the flat hemlock needles. The underside of hemlock needles have pale white stripes, which will distinguish them from pines and spruces. However, the undersides of Douglas fir and balsam fir needles may also have pale white stripes, so you will need to look at the shape of the needles to distinguish hemlocks.
How long does it take for hemlock to die?
If the adelgid is not controlled, infested trees will decline and eventually die, usually within four to 10 years.
What is the difference between a hemlock tree and a fir tree?
Fir tree needles are normally longer than those of a hemlock tree. Fir trees – nine types grow wild in North America – belong to the genus Abies, while the four North American hemlock species are part of the Tsuga genus. Firs and hemlocks differ in size, foliage and preferred growing conditions; both come in parent form ...
How tall does a hemlock tree get?
Many fir species, such as white fir (Abies concolor) and noble fir (Abies procera), commonly grow between 100 and 150 feet tall.
What is the foliage of a fir tree?
The evergreen foliage of fir trees differs from that of hemlocks. Hemlocks feature a narrow, flat, evergreen needle that tapers at its base to form a tiny stem, attaching to the twigs on what resembles a woody cushion. The needles on a fir tree appear plump or flat in a cross-section view. They grow right out of the twigs ...
How long are fir needles?
Hemlock needles normally do not exceed an inch in length, while the needles on firs, like the white fir, develop to 3 inches in length. Advertisement.
How big do fir cones get?
Fir tree cones come in a wide array of sizes. Those of the California red fir (Abies magnifica) may grow to as long as 9 inches, while some firs – including balsam fir (Abies balsamea) – produce a cone as small as 2 inches long.
How long is a hemlock cone?
Hemlock cones are small, with only the mountain hemlock generating a cone as long as 3 inches. Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) has a cone that is less than an inch long.
Where do fir trees grow?
Geographically, most of the firs grow in the western portion of North America, with only the balsam fir and the Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) native to eastern regions. Canadian hemlock and Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) grow in the East, while mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) and western hemlock exist in the Northwest. Advertisement.
How tall is a Canadian hemlock?
Canadian hemlock grows between 40 and 70 ft. (12 – 21 m) tall. Eastern hemlocks are recognized by their broadly conical shape, straight trunk, and branches that droop at the tips.
What do hemlock cones look like?
Hemlock cones look like small oval, woody cylinders dangling from the branches. All conifers are identified by seed-producing cones. Hemlock cones are recognizable by their ovoid (egg shape) globular form. Cones on hemlock trees measure 0.6” to 1” (1.5 – 2.5 cm) and, like pine cones, hang pendulous from branches.
How to identify hemlock trees?
Identify hemlock trees by their needle leaves, cones, reddish-brown scaly bark, and drooping growth habit. The identifiable characteristic of hemlocks is their flat, glossy, green needle leaves with white stripes on one side. Also, look for small, egg-shaped cones with large, rounded brown scales hanging off branches.
What are the leaves of a hemlock tree called?
Hemlock Tree Leaves (Needles) Hemlock leaves. Hemlock needle leaves are an identifying feature of trees in the genus Tsuga. The evergreen needle-like leaves are recognizable by their flat appearance and blunt, rounded tips.
How long are hemlock leaves?
Hemlock leaves vary in length on the branch. Typically, the needle leaves are 0.6” to 0.8” (1.5 – 2 cm) long. However, they can be as short as 0.2” (0.5 cm). Looking closely at pictures of hemlock leaves, you will spot fine serration on the needle margins, especially near the blunt tip.
How to tell if a hemlock tree is a pine tree?
Another way to tell hemlocks apart from pine trees is to look at the cones. Hemlock cones are smaller and have larger scales than pine tree cones. Additionally, hemlock tree cones are more rounded or globular than pine cones. Visually, there are a few identifying differences between pines and hemlocks.
What is the family of hemlock?
Evergreen hemlock trees belong to the pine family Pinaceae . There are four species of hemlock native to North America: Eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ), Western hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla ), Mountain hemlock ( Tsuga mertensiana ), and the Carolina hemlock ( Tsuga caroliniana ). However, the Carolina hemlock species is relatively rare in the wild.
