Eastern Hemlock, Common Hemlock, Canada Hemlock, Spruce Hemlock, White Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis, commonly known as Eastern Hemlock, is a graceful, shade-tolerant evergreen tree native to eastern North America. This species is valued for its fine-textured foliage, conical growth habit, and ability to provide year-round interest in the landscape.
Eastern Hemlock belongs to the Pinaceae family, which includes popular evergreen trees such as Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), Norway Spruce (Picea abies), European Larch (Larix decidua), and Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana).
Eastern Hemlock is native to the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, extending south along the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia and Alabama. It is widespread in the Great Lakes region, the Northeast, and Maritime Canada. The species has been introduced to the United Kingdom and mainland Europe as an ornamental tree. It is also the state tree of Pennsylvania.
Eastern Hemlock is a straight-trunked, broadly pyramidal evergreen tree with delicate, feathery foliage and gracefully drooping branches with pendulous tips, giving it an elegant appearance. It has a slow to moderate growth rate, typically growing 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) per year under ideal conditions. However, in shaded environments or poor soils, growth may slow to as little as 6 inches (15 cm) per year.
Mature trees typically reach 40-70 feet (12-21 m) in height and 25-35 feet (7.5-10.5 m) in width. Some specimens can grow taller than 100 feet under ideal conditions.
This Hemlock has remarkable longevity, often exceeding 400 years, with some trees living up to 800 years in undisturbed forests.
This evergreen tree features flat sprays of short, glossy green needles (0.5 inches or 1.2 cm) with two distinct white bands on their undersides. The needles are arranged in two ranks along the stems, giving the branches a characteristic flattened appearance.
Eastern Hemlock produces small, ovoid cones (0.75 inches or 2 cm long) that dangle from the tips of branches like Christmas ornaments. Cones mature in the fall and persist into winter.
Young trees have smooth gray bark that becomes furrowed and reddish-brown with age.
This species is hardy in USDA zones 3-7, thriving in cool, moist environments.
Its needles shed quickly after the tree is cut, making it unsuitable for use as a Christmas tree.
Eastern Hemlock plays a crucial role in supporting wildlife by providing food, shelter, and protection from harsh weather conditions:
Eastern Hemlock is moderately resistant to deer browsing but may be browsed by rabbits, especially in winter.
Eastern Hemlock is non-toxic to humans and pets. It should not be confused with Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), which is highly toxic.
This species is not considered invasive and is an essential component of many North American forests. It is currently listed as a near threatened species in the IUCN Red List.
Prefers partial to full shade but can tolerate some sun in cool climates. Shelter from cold, drying winds
Grows best in well-drained, moist, acidic soils with high organic matter. Intolerant of drought.
Requires regular watering, especially in dry periods.
Minimal fertilization is needed. Use an acid-loving plant fertilizer if necessary.
Prune selectively to maintain shape. Can be sheared for hedge use.
Eastern Hemlock faces significant threats from pests, diseases, and environmental stressors:
Eastern Hemlock is a unique and ecologically significant tree with several notable characteristics:
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is non-toxic to humans and animals. It is often confused with the highly poisonous herbaceous plant known as Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), which is unrelated and belongs to the carrot family (Apiaceae). Unlike Poison Hemlock, Eastern Hemlock is safe to touch, and its foliage has even been used to make tea.
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) share similarities but can be distinguished by several key features:
Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17, A3 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Trees |
Plant Family | Pinaceae |
Common names | Hemlock, Eastern Hemlock |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 40' - 70' (12.2m - 21.3m) |
Spread | 25' - 35' (7.6m - 10.7m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut, Maine, Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina |
Tolerance | Full Shade, Deer |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17, A3 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Trees |
Plant Family | Pinaceae |
Common names | Hemlock, Eastern Hemlock |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 40' - 70' (12.2m - 21.3m) |
Spread | 25' - 35' (7.6m - 10.7m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut, Maine, Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina |
Tolerance | Full Shade, Deer |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock) | N/A | Buy Plants |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!