The Forestry Forum

Last Christmas my family and I spent the holiday in Gatlinburg, TN and Franklin, NC.  In the Smoky Mountains National Park I finally realized what a Hemlock looks like.  I fell in love with them!  I was also broken-hearted that many of them are being destroyed by the wooly adelgid.

I did a bit of research after Christmas and I think I found that Hemlocks are not very heat tolerant.  I had thoughts of planting some on my farm but decided against it after reading what I found on the internet.  The other day I was driving around the country here (mid-central Alabama) and I swear I saw a Hemlock!  I can't remember where (CRS has set in - Can't Remember Stuff) so I am not able to go back to investigate thoroughly, but now again I'm wondering if I may be able to successfully grow some Hemlocks.

I'm turning to the experts for opinions and advise!  Thanks for your help! (y'all!)

I'm no Tsuga expert but I have successfully grown Canadian and Carolina (T. canadensis and T. caroliniana respectively) in Cincinnati, OH.  I will say that they aren't the most durable hot weather evergreen out there and probably wouldn't be my first choice.  If you encounter a string of consecutive hot, dry summers you will likely start to notice failure.  However, if you are planting as an ornamental feature and you can easily supplement with water year-round when necessary, I think you would have a decent shot at success.