The Plight of Eastern Hemlocks StoryMap

A Story of Collaboration and Conservation at Steep Rock

Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, is a key component of New England forests. Considered a foundation species, this coniferous tree has a major influence on ecological processes and creates unique conditions for plants, animals, and humans alike. Hemlocks are very slow-growing and shade-tolerant, allowing them to persist in the understory and survive for hundreds of years. Thus, many of Connecticut’s oldest and rarest forests have a strong hemlock composition, including those at Steep Rock Association’s (SRA) Steep Rock Preserve and Hidden Valley Preserve.