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Tsuga heterophylla

Also Known As

Western Hemlock

Plant type

tree, conifer

size

H: 60'-130'
W: 20'-30'

planting zones

6a-10b

More Options

Tsuga heterophylla plant details

Tsuga heterophylla is a moderate-growing evergreen conifer tree with green foliage. Features glossy texture. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Tsuga heterophylla

Plant type: conifer tree
Plant family: pinaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 20 FT - 30 FT - wide, 60 FT - 130 FT - tall
Uses: bare root shipping available, bonsai, cascading, hedge, larger quantity available, street tree, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Tsuga heterophylla

USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A tall, graceful tree, ?the W. Hemlock, another of David Douglas? happy discoveries, [can be] a magnificent giant soaring to 200'(Barber and Phillips); a densely leafy, deep-green pyramid, nodding at its tip. PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

One of the most gorgeous of all the conifers, Hemlocks typically displays weeping tops and short, drooping branches. Trees are incredibly shade tolerant and seedlings can survive (without growing very much) in dark forests for decades waiting for the mature tree canopy to open up after the largest trees die or are blown down. Once light is made available to the forest floor the small seedlings quickly grow towards the light and replace the gap in the tree canopy; this rare ability to survive and wait for light makes the Western Hemlock the dominant species across much of its range.

The Western Hemlock is often also referred to as the Coastal Hemlock since it tends to grow closer to the Pacific ocean and at lower elevations than the Mountain Hemlock which grows mostly along ridges and throughout the inland Cascade volcano range. The Western Hemlock has flat needles in rows while the Mountain Hemlock has unordered needles more like a Fir tree.

Hemlocks are quite popular for bonsai because of their short and plentiful needles and dense branching habit as well as in landscapes. They are tough trees that are tolerant of a wide range of conditions but prefer well drained soils. In hot climates like our nursery they do best when given a little bit of afternoon shade.

Hemlock trees are often referred to as Hemlock-Spruce since some people confuse these species with Poison Hemlock which is not related and is actually a member of the Parsley family.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Evergreen tree with a narrowly pyramidal crown and a drooping leader. Needles are green to yellow-green and alternate on the stems between two distinctly different sizes. Graceful branches and tiny cones make this a very attractive specimen tree. Does great in the cool, moist conditions of the Pacific Northwest. Growth Rate medium

By: Garden World

Upright with drooping branches, delicate foliage and graceful habit. Regular water, hardy to zone 6

By: Lael's Moon Garden

Pacific Northwest native from southern Alaska to northern California. Narrowly conical tree with cracked, purple-brown bark and horizontal branches that have a pendulous habit. This magnificent tree grows 70-130' tall (although specimens have been found upwards of 200'), and 20-30' wide. Grow in moist but well drained, acidic soil. Very shade tolerant; requires shelter from heavy winds.