The pollen stratigraphy of a 6.7-m section of bog peat from west–central Nova Scotia shows three major pollen zones, viz., the zone of spruce maximum (9180–8505 before present (BP)); the zone of pine and oak maxima (8505–6290 BP); and the upper deciduous zone, which could be more accurately described as the bimodal hemlock zone (6290 BP to present day). The zone of hemlock minimum is dated at 4415 BP. The spruce assemblage denotes a cool, wet climate. The decrease in spruce and increases to maxima of pine and oak are interpreted in terms of higher temperatures and lower precipitation. Further temperature increase, perhaps accompanied by increased precipitation, resulted in the migration of hemlock into the area subsequently suppressed during the period of maximum warmth and dryness. Increased precipitation followed by decreased temperatures led firstly to a second hemlock stage and later to increased coniferous growth. Increased representation of grasses and adventives in the upper levels of the assemblage are indicative of European colonization.