Tsuga canadensis, eastern hemlock
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Coniferous Trees

Tsuga canadensis

eastern hemlock

Pinaceae

Eastern North America from Nova Scotia and New England south through Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia; sea level to 4,500 feet (1,370 m)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height40–70 feet (12–21 m)
Width25–35 feet (7.6–10.7 m)
Maturity30 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Tsuga canadensis is a graceful, slow-growing evergreen conifer native to eastern North America. Trees reach 40–70 feet (12–21 m) tall and 25–35 feet (7.6–10.7 m) wide in cultivation over many decades; growth rate is 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) per year on good sites. The habit is broadly pyramidal with a characteristic nodding leader and slightly pendulous branch tips. Needles are flat, 0.3–0.6 inch (8–15 mm) long, dark green above with two white stomatal bands below, arranged in two flat ranks with a row of shorter needles along the top of the stem creating a distinctive banded appearance when viewed from below. Cones are small, 0.6–0.8 inch (15–20 mm) long, ovoid, pendant, with thin rounded scales — among the smallest cones of any North American conifer. Bark is cinnamon-brown to purplish-brown, developing thick ridges with age. T. canadensis is threatened in its native eastern range by hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), an introduced insect not yet established in the Pacific Northwest, making this a lower-risk choice in the region than in the eastern US.

Native Range

Tsuga canadensis is native to eastern North America from Nova Scotia and New England south through the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia, at elevations from near sea level to 4,500 feet (1,370 m), in cool, moist, shaded forest conditions. It is not native to the Pacific Northwest.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen, informal screen, and formal hedge in woodland gardens and large residential landscapes, spaced 15–20 feet (4.6–6 m) apart as specimens or 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) for hedge use. The nodding leader, pendulous branch tips, and fine needle texture create a graceful silhouette distinct from other large screening conifers. Tolerates shade better than most conifers of comparable size. Pacific Northwest conditions suit this species well given the absence of hemlock woolly adelgid.

How to Identify

Tsuga canadensis is identified by the characteristic nodding leader and pendulous branch tips; flat needles 0.3–0.6 inch (8–15 mm) long, dark green above with two white bands below, with shorter needles along the top of stems creating a banded appearance from below; and small, pendant, ovoid cones 0.6–0.8 inch (15–20 mm). Distinguished from Tsuga heterophylla (western hemlock) by the smaller mature size, more variable needle length, and shorter cones; distinguished from Abies by the pendant (not upright) cones.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 70'
Width/Spread25' - 35'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Male and female cones are on the same plant (monoecious). Male strobili are small, globose, yellow, releasing pollen in April–May. Female cones are small, 0.6–0.8 inch (15–20 mm) long, ovoid, pendant on short stalks at branch tips, ripening from green to brown in autumn of the first year.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow (male strobili)

Foliage Description

dark green above, two white stomatal bands below; banded appearance from shorter top-stem needles

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Full Shade
Requires 2-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20–40 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water weekly during the first two growing seasons; established trees require consistent moisture and tolerate moderate drought only once deeply rooted. Prefers cool, moist, well-drained to moderately moist, acidic soils; performs poorly in hot, dry, or alkaline conditions. Tolerates partial shade — performs well in shadier conditions than most large conifers. In the Pacific Northwest, hemlock woolly adelgid is not established, removing the most serious threat this species faces in its native eastern range. Winter wind on exposed sites can cause foliage desiccation; sheltered positions are preferred.

Pruning

No pruning required for natural form. Tolerates shearing for hedges — one of the few large conifers that can be maintained as a formal hedge. Shear in late spring before growth hardens. The plant regenerates from old wood better than most conifers, allowing some rejuvenation pruning. Remove dead branches at any time.

Pruning Schedule

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late springsummer

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic
Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef