The western hemlock looper is a defoliator whose larvae feed on the foliage of most conifers and some broadleaved species, but prefer western hemlock.

What animal eats hemlock?

Red squirrels and mice chew off the scales of the tiny hemlock cones to get at the seeds underneath. Deer will also eat hemlock foliage and twigs as high up as they can reach. Porcupines prefer hemlock and will eat the bark and chew off large twigs.

Are Western hemlock trees poisonous?

All parts of poison-hemlock (leaves, stem, fruit, and root) are poisonous. Leaves are especially poisonous in the spring, up to the time the plant flowers. … Signs of poisoning usually appear within an hour after an animal eats the plant. Animals die from respiratory paralysis in 2 to 3 hours.