Wood: The
moderately soft, moderately strong wood is lightweight, coarse and splintery.
It is often knotty due to the persistent branches and is occasionally used
in rough, general construction and for pulp. It sparks and pops considerably
when burned and is therefore not suitable for use as firewood.
Wildlife: Forming a dense, evergreen cover, the eastern hemlock is an important shelter tree in winter for white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse and wild turkey. Deer may browse the trees in winter and chickadee, pine siskin and crossbills depend on this species for cover and seeds. The deadly beverage that Socrates drank was not from this tree but a plant of the parsley family. Native Americans made a medicinal tea from the leaves of the eastern hemlock and used the inner bark as a poultice.
Horticulture: This tree is sensitive to drying
winds and drought, and is therefore generally not recommended for planting
in Iowa.
