The hemlock is a m tree grows in mountain forests throughout the northwest. The needles are flat, when crushed, smelling of fresh lemon and pine.
This is one plant that can illuminate all your senses. Admire it's looks, feel it's soft needles and bark, smell and taste it's lemony presence.
Steep fresh needles in hot water for breakfast tea. Or, throw fresh needles in with traditional pesto. Be creative. And remember a little goes a long way!
At home or in the backcountry, get a taste.
Tree structure is definitely different, but needles look a lot like white fir - which also has a "lemony presence" and can be used for tea. Are they related?
ReplyDeleteFrom what I am reading. Yes, fir and hemlock look very similar. And, yes, they are related, in the Pinaceae family. There can be hybrids from both types of conifers that appear the same. Always different cone structure. Bring a field guide. Fir, pine and hemlock can all be eaten or used for tea.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I am not huge on identifying every detail. Try at your own risk. I am not your guide book, I am learning like everyone else.
And thanks Stephanie! my first, and probably not last mistake. The tree pictured was a grand fir hybrid. I will post an actually hemlock.
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