Botanical Name:

Tsuga canadensis

Common Name:

Canadian hemlock, eastern hemlock

Family Name:

Pinaceae – pine family

General Description:

Tsuga canadensis is a beautiful, graceful tree found throughout eastern North America in cool, moist woodland conditions. Although not native to the Chicago area it is considered an elegant and refined plant for the ornamental landscape as long as it is sited properly. Canadian hemlock performs best in organic, moist but well-drained soils in a site that is sheltered from drying winds and hot sun. It benefits from mulch and regular watering during times of drought. Regardless of the extra care this plant takes it is one of the few conifers that thrive in full or part shade and can provide a much needed evergreen presence in a shady spot. In addition, Canadian hemlock tolerates pruning better than most conifers and can be sheared as a hedge. There are many cultivar selections that would make a fine addition to the garden in the right spot.

Zone:

3-7

Resources Consulted:

Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. Champaign: Stipes, 2009. Print.

Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Botanical Garden, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.

"The PLANTS Database." USDA, NRCS. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA, 2014. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.

Creator:

Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper, Professor, College of DuPage

Creation Date:

2014

Keywords/Tags:

Pinaceae, tree, conifer, cone, needle, evergreen, Tsuga canadensis, Canadian hemlock, eastern hemlock

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