French names:
Pruche du Canada Family: Pine Family (Pinaceae) Distinctive features: Tree; Flat needles. Similar species: • Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) - very similar. Has longer needles and they are attached to the branch differently. Also, Balsam Fir bark usually has numerous sap blisters. • Yew (Taxus canadensis) - a sprawling shrub, and the needles are green underneath.
• Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) - A wildflower, non-woody plant; no relation; similar in name only. See the Ontario Wildflowers website.
• Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock (Cicuta bulbifera) - A wildflower, non-woody plant; no relation; similar in name only. See the Ontario Wildflowers website.
• Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata) - A wildflower, non-woody plant; no relation; similar in name only. See the Ontario Wildflowers website.
Leaves:
Small flat needles. Habitat: Forests; Forests. Edible:
Needles make a nice tea.
Books: Trees in Canada: 120 Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Very common.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: canadensis: of Canada For more information visit: Ontario Trees and Shrubs Photographs:
288 photographs available, of which 6 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Eastern Hemlock is a conifer, and therefore it has needles. Eastern Hemlock needles are connected to the branch with tiny stems. This is different from Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea). The needles have a thin white stripe underneath (not shown).
The needles make a nice tea. As with all conifers from which one can make tea, it is important to heat the water first, remove the water from the heat when it boils, and then and only then add the needles. Fresh, younger needles make better tea.
Here is a young Eastern Hemlock, showing its open growth form.
An eye-level view of Eastern Hemlock branches.
Eastern Hemlock trunk.
Close-up of Eastern Hemlock bark.
Eastern Hemlock seed cones.
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