Canadian Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Pinaceae · coniferous tree · introduced
Last updated
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Height
40–80 ft
Spread
26 ft
Growth Rate
Slow
Size at 20 yr
22 ft
Lifespan
Long-lived
Site Requirements
Light
Part Shade
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
Soil pH
4.2-5.7
Water
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Low
Hardiness
Zones 3b–8b
Ornamental Interest
Bloom Time
Non-flowering
Origin
from Nova Scotia to Minnesota and south to the mountains of
Field Observations
Watch for this season
RustHigh
Uredinial Stage (Summer)
Wood DecayHigh
Wound Infection Window
Pine needle scaleHigh
Crawler Emergence
Armillaria Root RotModerate
Active Below-ground Growth
+ 2 more — see full disease and pest lists below
Diseases: Regionally Documented (11)
Phytophthora spp. (P Phytophthora Root Rot Heterobasidion occidentale Otrosina & Garbel Heterobasidion Root Disease Armillaria spp. — primarily A Armillaria Root Rot Drought Injury Arceuthobium spp. (parasitic plant) Dwarf Mistletoe Gray Mold Coniferiporia sulphurascens Laminated Root Rot Multiple genera (Melampsoridium, Thekopsora, Naohidemyces... Rust Multiple pathogens cause shoot blight on different hosts:... Shoot Blight Rhizoctonia spp. (binucleate) Web Blight Multiple Basidiomycete fungi cause wood decay in trees Wood Decay
Pests: Regionally Documented (5)
Phenological Calendar
View full calendar (6 stages)
| Stage | Typical Window |
|---|---|
| New growth flush BBCH 11 | Feb 15-Mar 15 Observed |
| Pollen release BBCH 61 | Apr 1-Apr 30 |
| Pollen shed complete BBCH 69 | Apr 15-May 15 |
| New cone formation BBCH 71 | May-Jun Observed |
| Cone maturity BBCH 71 | Jun 1-Aug 31 |
| Cone maturity and seed shed BBCH 85 | Sep 1-Nov 30 |
Cultivars (8)
'Albospica'
Common name: White Tipped Canadian Hemlock Albospica Canadian Hemlock
Hardy to USDA Zone 3
'Betty Rose'
Common name: Betty Rose Canadian Hemlock
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Coles Prostrate'
Common name: Cole's Prostrate Canadian Hemlock; Mature height: 1 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Gentsch White'
Common name: Gentsch White Canadian Hemlock; Mature height: 5 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Horsford'
Common name: Horsford Canadian Hemlock; Mature height: 1 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Little Joe'
Common name: Little Joe Canadian Hemlock
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Summer Snow'
Common name: Summer Snow Hemlock Summer Snow Eastern Hemlock; Mature height: 6–15 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Pendula'
Weeping form; broad, mounding habit
Data Maturity Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.