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Tsuga canadensis

Tsuga canadensis

Eastern hemlock, Canadian Hemlock, Eastern hemlock-spruce

Description

Tsuga canadensis (Canada hemlock, Eastern hemlock) comes from the cool and damp forests in the north-east of the United States and south-east Canada. Here, the tree grows with, amongst others, Acer pensylvanicum, Acer saccharum and Fagus grandiflora. In cultivation, this elegant evergreen conifer grows to between fifteen and twenty metres tall and has a width of six to eight metres; in nature, there are specimens as tall as fifty metres and fifteen metres across. The graceful, densely branched pyramidal form of the crown is enhanced by the low branching, the upward curving branches and the fine texture of the needles.

The needles of the Canada hemlock are soft and small and arranged in pairs around the twigs. Even in the winter the tree retains its dark green colour with two white stripes on the underside of the needles. Juvenile needles are bright green in late spring and contrast nicely with the older, dark green needles. The unremarkable male and female flowers of Tsuga canadensis appear in the spring. Lovely little cones, which are not especially showy, are produced in the autumn. Tsuga canadensis has a red-brown peeling bark on young trees, the bark of older trees is stunningly deeply grooved with wide, flat furrows. 

The Canada hemlock is a true climax species which occurs mainly in shady forests on acidic, damp but well-drained soils. Consequently, the tree is primarily suitable for planting in groups or individually in park-like surroundings where it can grow to monumental proportions. Very open and exposed sites must be avoided because it does not cope well in the wind. Tsuga canadensis does not tolerate high temperatures, drought, salt and compaction of the earth. Conversely, cold climates to winter hardiness zone four are no problem.    

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees characteristic trees conifers woodland planting stock

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park large garden cemetery

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

shade-tolerant

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide pyramidal wide pyramidal

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

15 - 20 m

Width

6 - 8 m

Winter hardiness zone

4A - 7B

Aspects

Wind

intolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist

Light requirements

partial shade shade

pH range

acidic

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Tsuga canadensis? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

Magnify

Seasonal colours

Tsuga canadensis seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

discrete

Flower colour

yellow-green

Flowering period

May

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green buds pale green underside white-grey

Leaves

evergreen needles or scales short needles

Fruits

Fruit colour

pale brown grey-brown

Fruits

discrete cones

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown red-brown

Bark

peeling deeply furrowed furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

yellow

Twigs

hairy horizontal branches pendulous

Root system

Root system

shallow extensive central root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
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