The eastern hemlock is a very important tree to many animals. In the winter, white-tailed deer often use hemlock stands as bedding and shelter. Turkeys, grouse, rabbits, porcupines, and other animals also utilize hemlock stands as places to live. Red squirrels, mice, and voles feed on hemlock seeds and often bury them to save them. This sometimes is advantageous to the hemlock trees because their seeds are spread. Porcupines sometimes gnaw on the bark, which is damaging and sometimes fatal to younger eastern hemlocks.