Eastern hemlock trees like to grow in the soil. But there's a reason for this. Long ago, when ice covered the northwoods, hemlock trees only lived in safe places in the mountains. As the ice melted, they slowly moved north over many years. They reached Wisconsin about 3,000 years ago. Hemlock trees can live in the shade for a long time. When bigger trees fall down, they get sunlight and can grow even larger. When settlers came to Wisconsin, they cut down many old-growth hemlock trees. Fires also destroyed many young hemlock trees. Because of this, it's now hard to find hemlock trees in Wisconsin. Deer also eat young hemlock trees, making it even harder for them to grow. This area has been protected from logging and fires, so the trees are safe. Old-growth forests are important for animals and plants. They also help to reduce the effects of climate change. Hemlock trees first started growing in vilas county wisconsin between the year 1880 and 1940. Indigenous Peoples carve hemlock to make spoons, combs, roasting spits and other implements. Hemlock roots are sometimes spliced into bull kelp dishing lines to strengthen them. Hemlock bark is rich in tannin and is used as a stain to treat wood and a dye to colour wool and other textile. Hemlock trees can grow 60-100 feet tall. The trunk can grow 2-4 feet in diameter. The branches on this tree spread out nearly horizontal, but make a pyramid-shape. Hemlock bark is rich in tannins and was traditionally used in the tanning of hides.