Canadian Hemlock

Tsuga canadensis

Pinaceae · coniferous tree · native

Last updated March 9, 2026

Data Maturity Structured

This profile synthesizes data from multiple published sources. Expert field review is in progress.

Quick Facts

Height

40–80 ft

Spread

26 ft

Growth Rate

Slow

Light

Part Shade

Soil

Well Drained

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zone Zones 3b–8b

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Origin

from Nova Scotia to Minnesota and south to the mountains of

Phenological Calendar

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
New growth flush BBCH 11	Feb 15-Mar 15	Lighter-colored new growth visible at branch tips
Bloom start BBCH 61	Apr 1-Apr 30	First open flowers visible; flowers yellow
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Apr 15-May 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: brown
Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Fruit fully colored and ripened; seed dispersal may begin

Diseases (12)

Phytophthora spp. (P Phytophthora Root Rot Heterobasidion annosum (syn. Fomes annosus) Annosus Root Rot Armillaria ostoyae Armillaria Root Rot Drought Injury Arceuthobium spp. (parasitic plant) Dwarf Mistletoe Gray Mold Heterobasidion annosum Heterobasidion Root Disease Coniferiporia sulphurascens Laminated Root Rot Thekopsora minima and Naohidemyces vaccinii Rust Phytophthora cactorum"heeled in\" (placed in sawdust pile... Shoot Blight Rhizoctonia spp. (binucleate) Web Blight Limb and Wood Decay

Pests (7)

Hemiberlesia ithacae Hemlock scale Adelges tsugae Hemlock woolly adelgid Dioryctria spp. Coneworm Coneworm and shoot moth Chionaspis pinifoliae Pine needle scale Otiorhynchus spp. Root weevil Hemlock adelgid

Cultivars (7)

'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