With a background in civil engineering, Scott Schwieder is a certified tree inspector with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Based in Rochester, Minnesota, Scott Schwieder has extensive knowledge of trees common in the state.

One common tree in Minnesota is the eastern hemlock, a conifer that begins its lifecycle in a forest as an understory plant that ultimately emerges past broad-leaf trees to grow as high as 100 feet. With a graceful pyramidal shape, the evergreen features branches that may be horizontal or drooping. Its needles are not pointed but short and soft.

Growing well in full shade or sunlight, the eastern hemlock thrives in moist, rich, well-drained soils with slightly high acid levels. Responding well to pruning, the tree can be integrated into low hedges or planted as a standalone.

To preserve the natural shape, the best pruning technique involves an annual cutting back of branches that have grown too long. The only drawback is the tree’s susceptibility to the hemlock woolly adelgid, an aphid-like pest.