Canadian Hemlock

Tree Overview:

One of the more shade-tolerant evergreens, the Canadian Hemlock has many uses as a specimen, sheared as a hedge, or planted for screening. The hemlock resembles a large Christmas tree with its broadly pyramidal, pendulous branches and fine, dark-green needles on widely spaced branches that give it a delicate, lacy feel.

Care details

Canadian Hemlock achieves its best growth in evenly moist, acidic, organic, rich, well-drained soils in partial shade to partial sun. It can tolerate less favorable conditions (such as full sun in average soils of alkaline pH) if sufficient supplemental water is given during the dry periods of summer, as long as the soil is well-drained. Canadian Hemlock does not tolerate wet soils, nor prolonged drought. Strongly windswept areas and air polluted sites should be avoided. It generally performs best in partial sun to partial shade.

Needle description

Leaves are evergreen needles, arranged in two rows, with an extra row of flattened needles on the top of stems. Needles are ½” long and flattened, medium green color.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions

Fruit are ovoid cones that hang from branches like small ornaments; about 1 inch long