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<DIV>You're right about hemlock being a bad idea. The root system is broad
and shallow right on the surface panning out from the trunk. Nothing
much grows under the hemlocks, coptis maybe, partridge berry, black trumpet
shrooms, indian pipes. That's about it. That's under a giant, not a
sapling. Nothing under the saplings.</DIV>
<DIV>That hemlocks are under attack is of course a good reason to try stewarding
them on your land. Here in Central Pa at least where I am we still have a
great deal of giant grandmother/father hemlocks, let's hope it stays that
way,</DIV>
<DIV>cheers, Jennifer </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>herbalogic wrote:</DIV>
<DIV>I would not use Hemlock as a natural canopy for Ginseng or other
woodland perennial propagation.
<DIV>First, hemlocks give off toxins that inhibit growth of other competitive
species within the drip line of the tree naturally. The area
directly beneath the drip line and above the root area are usually
barren.</DIV>
<DIV>Secondly, Hemlocks are currently under attack by multiple insect species:
<BR><A title=http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/hwa/other_hemlock_pests.htm
href="http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/hwa/other_hemlock_pests.htm">http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/hwa/other_hemlock_pests.htm</A></DIV></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>