Is a Hemlock tree poisonous?
There seems to be some confusion with the answers here. Hemlock tree is coniferous tree and a member of the Tsuga genus (family Pinaceae). The poisonous perennial, herbaceous hemlock plants that grow near streams and in fields (e.g. water hemlock, poison hemlock and hemlock water dropwort) are members of the family Apiaceae. Therefore the two are TOTALLY unrelated and bear no physical resemblance to each other either. The reason why hemlock tree came to be named is because someone thought that when you crush the needles (it’s a pine tree) the smell is similar to that obtained when you crush poisonous hemlock leaves, but that’s the ONLY connection. Hemlock tree is quite safe to plant in your yard and is no more toxic than any other pine tree. In fact, the young needles can be brewed as a type of tea which is very rich in Vitamin C!
