there used to be a good sized specimen on campus of the university of north alabama in florence.
also, it is found in that area of franklin county called dismals canyon.
i think it is also being grown at the university campus in huntsville.

this is an interesting place to visit, though it's been years ago.

Here is a link that might be useful: dismals canyon

Dismals is an interesting place and I've never walked over much of it. The only time I was there was thirty or so years ago.

I thought I saw a specimen somewhere here in Huntsville but I don't remember where. Thanks for your answer Jeff. I'm going to try one if I can find one here.

We have some in my area (including down the street from me), and there are occasional Hemlocks in Birmingham.

I once saw a map with the native range of Canadian Hemlock, and it showed an area of Northern Jefferson County that is supposed to have Hemlocks. Too bad some nursery doesn't start propagating these Bama Hemlocks, so we could have a more heat-tolerant form.

Dismals Canyon is on my list of things to see. I think there may be Hemlocks in other areas of the Sipsey Wilderness.

Several years ago I bought and gave my friend a hemlock plant. He planted it in his back yard near Jacksonville, Al. It is still looking good although it's growing very slowly in deep shade on poor soil.

There are loads of Hemlocks in the Bankhead National Forest in Winston County. I also have one on my property in Walker County. They are native to parts of north Alabama. Linda

water water water.....for the next 5 years.

i have found that hemlocks in my garden need 5 years of regular summer irrigation to establish. once established, they grow quite well...especially if given some shade (high shade is best), good soil, and continued regular water and fertilizer.

also try the japanese hemlock (tsuga seiboldii). its the most heat tolerant of the hemlocks from my experience in central alabama.

Hemlocks will do well in North Alabama, under the right conditions. The tree naturally occurs close to streams, in soils rich with organic compost, and in heavy shade. I've seen them grown in people's yards on dry hill tops. But, I wouldn't count on a high survival in such places. I've had the best survival, on seedlings that are late fall or early winter planted. Seedlings that are transplanted in the spring have a terrible time of getting established, and a high mortality rate.

I'm not trying to talk you out of planting a hemlock for yourself. I just want you to have it survive, so you can enjoy it for the rest of your life. Hemlocks are one of my all time favorite trees.

Yeah, the owners of a home in my area recently planted a new full sun bed with a couple of Hemlocks in it. And I mean full baking hot Sun. I cringe every time I see them. They also stuck a Coral Bark Japanese Maple in there, which I would not have placed in full sun in Alabama. I think maybe they have been watching too many gardening shows or reading too many gardening magazines that originate out of New England.

Of course, if they had left at least some of the existing woodlands from the acreage around their home instead of bulldozing their property into a grassland prairie, they might have plenty of appropriate places for Hemlocks to grow... but I shouldn't start ranting about my neighbors and how they destroy the natural beauty of the area we live in... but, dang, go live in Kansas or in a golf course 'burb in Hoover if you don't like trees!

I have a Canadian hemlock and it is doing quite well in my garden (Florence). It is located next to a black walnut tree and it gets mostly shade during the day.

From what you all are telling me I probably can't grow the hemlock in my yard because dang it, I have full sun. We have plated trees, but they will be small for years to come. I could plant it in the shade of the detached garage where it wouldn't get evening sun except for the field lines being near there. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Plant the Hemlock where it can at least get some shade relief from the hot afternoon sun.

If you can't do this, then I'd plant an Eastern Red Cedar. It's another native, that needs almost no special care, and will do well in the sun.

Another alternative would be to use a Deodar Cedar.

Please listen to the advice of the very sage folks here. Let's discuss, instead, the reasons why you've focused your attention on Hemlock. According to Robert Redmon, the Director of Grounds at the UAH campus (which is pretty much an arboretum), that tree is borderline in this area.

Let's find something else that fits with what you are looking for. There is nothing worse than seeing a tree wishing for lightning to strike to end its own suffering.

another tree that will grow in alabama is the japanese fir(abies firma)

Hi,

We have a 40' hemlock which sits as an understory tree here in Auburn. So, they CAN be grown (certainly in Huntsville) given the right conditions.

A couple of the hemlocks on the UAH campus had to be removed due to the wooly adelgid, which is wiping these plants from Northern forests and landscapes. I would advise against planting this tree in a place of importance, especially when there are such nice alternatives.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:364101}}