Mesic to dry-mesic upland forests and seepage swamps; typically favors coves, protected stream bottoms, and other sites with cool microclimates; east of the mountains, it is mostly confined to sheltered, north-facing, stream-fronting bluffs and steep slopes. Common in the Virginia mountains; infrequent in the Piedmont; rare in the Coastal Plain
It provides winter and extreme weather coverage. Red crossbills and small mammals eat the seeds. Ruffled grouse eat the buds and white-tailed deer browse the foilage in winter. It is an important thermal cover component along streams for amphibians and fish. It also provides cover and shelter for turkey and white-tailed deer
High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife
Most Virginia hemlock populations have suffered extensive defoliation and mortality from outbreaks of the introduced insect pathogen, hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae); intact hemlock stands and healthy, large individuals are now rare
My Native Garden
Put together a printable/downloadable list of plants that you have in your garden.