Tsuga heterophylla

RHS Plant Profile

western hemlock

RHS 2000

Other common names

Alaskan pine, Californian hemlock, western hemlock spruce

Synonyms

Tsuga albertiana

Conifers Trees

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A vigorous large evergreen tree to 30m or more, conical in habit, with elegantly spreading branches bearing short, flattened, dark green needles striped white beneath. Ovoid cones are 2.5cm in length

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Tsuga are evergreen trees, broadly conical in habit, with a drooping leading shoot,linear leaves which are white beneath, and small ovoid cones
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: W North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil. Good specimen tree. Shade tolerant but requires protection from wind

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cutings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free