The Hemlock Will Not Countenance Despair
Sometimes the hardest part of gardening isn't planting a tree, it's knowing when to let it go.
A Tree Worth Remembering
Sometimes I'm astounded by the little coincidences that happen around me. Last week I started reading Faith in a Seed by Henry David Thoreau, which describes his observations of trees and nature around Concord, Massachusetts in the mid-nineteenth century. If you're a gardener, or just enjoy nature in general, it's a pretty interesting read! The coincidence here is that this was the weekend that the hemlock tree in the back yard here at 173 was to be removed. Taking out trees that one planted and watched grow over time is always a very poignant moment - at least for me. Here's a bit of the back story...
The spruce the hemlock and the pine will not countenance despair...surely joy is the condition of life. - Thoreau
Planting for the Future
About 12 years ago, the hemlock was planted in the back yard. The yard needed some evergreens back there because in winter it could get pretty bleak looking out there. From the very start it was clear that there would come a day when the hemlock would have to come down. 173 has a small yard, and hemlocks can get pretty big - but the thought was that it would be enjoyed until it started to get too big to be removed easily. And - enjoy it we did. The hemlock was beautiful in all seasons, with winter being an absolute highlight!
Winter's Finest Season
There's something about a hemlock tree with snow resting on its branches! Even Robert Frost waxed poetic ...
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
Thoreau and the Wonder of Seeds
Frost's words absolutely describe what that tree could do to 173's back yard when winter began to wear on! So, before I move on, I want to go back to Thoreau's Faith in a Seed. In the book, Thoreau discusses the dispersion of tree seeds, and his observances of how the wind carried the seeds, and how the mechanics of squirrels and other forest creatures assisted the process. In one section he describes watching squirrels strip pine and hemlock cones, to eat the seeds. This inspired me to pull apart a hemlock cone and, for the first time since I was a kid living on Lincoln Street, I examined and marveled at the simplicity of nature:
See the dark spot on the end of the flake in the lower right of the picture below?
That part is the seed! I mean - it's tiny!! And from that little speck grows a full size hemlock that lives for decades! Now I understand what Thoreau meant when he wrote,
Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.
A Home for Wildlife
The hemlock at 173 has been the home to two generations of morning doves,
...a family of robins...
...and a fun little ceramic owl!
That Dread Day
But alas, the dreaded day finally arrived. The day it was decided that now was the last real opportunity to remove the hemlock safely without needing to hire someone. And, with not just a little sorrow...
...the chore was undertaken...
I know it was just a tree, but I hated every moment of it, even Linus looked a bit sad...
The yard looks so empty!
Planting the Next Chapter
But there's a plan! An opportunity to plant anew, and once again witness the growth of a new back yard friend!
The arbor vitae will grow tall, but not have the spread the hemlock had, and, as an added bonus, we got the arbor vitae for $25 as Lowes was having their clearance sale! Say hello to 173's newest addition!
Looking Ahead
The back yard still looks a bit empty...
...but in a few years I think it'll bring depth and proportion to the yard, much like the arbor vitae had done for the front yard...
Stick around and watch with us!
The strongest idea in this post is that gardening requires both planting and letting go.Most gardening articles celebrate adding something new. Very few talk honestly about the sadness of removing a tree that has become part of everyday life. You don't apologize for those emotions, you simply acknowledge them. That honesty is what makes the story resonate.I also love the way Thoreau's observations about tiny hemlock seeds echo the ending of the post. Early on, you're mourning the loss of a mature tree. By the end, you're looking forward to watching another evergreen slowly reshape the yard over the coming years. It's a beautiful reminder that gardens are never truly finished, they're always becoming something new.In many ways, this post isn't really about the hemlock at all. It's about hope: the willingness to plant something whose full beauty you may not enjoy for many years, trusting that one day it will become part of someone else's memories, just as the hemlock became part of yours. - Anonymous Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are hemlock trees popular in home landscapes?
Hemlock trees are valued for their graceful appearance, soft evergreen needles, and year-round color. They provide excellent privacy screening, shelter for birds, and welcome greenery during the winter months when many deciduous trees stand bare.
How large do eastern hemlock trees become?
Eastern hemlocks can eventually reach 60 to 70 feet tall in natural settings, with mature specimens sometimes growing even larger. Their broad, layered branching habit also requires considerable horizontal space, making them better suited to larger landscapes unless they are carefully maintained.
Why would someone remove a healthy tree?
Tree removal isn't always the result of disease or storm damage. Sometimes a tree simply outgrows its location. Removing it while it's still manageable can prevent future property damage, reduce removal costs, and allow space for a better long-term planting choice.
What is the difference between a hemlock and an arborvitae?
Although both are evergreen conifers, hemlocks typically develop a wider, more open form with graceful drooping branches, while arborvitae grow in a narrower, more upright habit. Arborvitae are often chosen for smaller residential landscapes because they provide height without occupying as much horizontal space.
Do hemlock trees benefit wildlife?
Absolutely. Hemlocks provide year-round shelter for songbirds, nesting sites, protection from predators, and cover during harsh winter weather. Their dense branches also create a stable microclimate for many small animals and insects.
Why are tree cones important?
Cones are the reproductive structures of conifer trees. They protect and disperse seeds, allowing new trees to establish themselves naturally. Many birds and small mammals also depend on cone seeds as an important food source.
Why did Henry David Thoreau write so much about seeds?
Thoreau believed that seeds represented one of nature's greatest expressions of hope and renewal. His observations demonstrated how even the smallest seed contains the potential to create an entire forest, illustrating both the resilience and quiet persistence of the natural world.
Is it difficult to remove a mature tree from a small yard?
It can be. Even relatively modest trees require careful planning to avoid damaging nearby buildings, fences, gardens, or utility lines. Removing a tree before it reaches full size often makes the process significantly safer and more manageable.
How long does it take an arborvitae to fill in?
Growth rates vary by variety and growing conditions, but many arborvitae add 12 to 24 inches of height each year. With proper care, they can quickly establish themselves as attractive privacy trees while maintaining a narrower footprint than many other evergreens.
Why do gardeners become emotionally attached to trees?
Trees quietly accompany daily life for years or even decades. They mark the changing seasons, provide shade and beauty, shelter wildlife, and become familiar landmarks in a landscape. Saying goodbye to one often feels like saying goodbye to an old friend because, in many ways, that's exactly what it has become.
Keywords
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