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Tsuga heterophylla is native to West North America,
Alaska to California, where it can reach heights of 20-40
metres; also found in forest from the Himalayas to North
Burma, West Vietnam, China, Taiwan and Japan. A graceful
and evergreen tree growing at a fast rate.
Evergreen tree with a straight trunk, down-swept branches
and open, pyramidal crown with a nodding tip. Foliage
color ranges from light green/yellow on new growth to
dark green on older growth. Tsuga species feature
flattened, usually linear leaves, similar to that of Yews,
with silvery white bands beneath. The needles provide a
flat branch pattern, lending itself to bonsai design. The
leaves have rounded tips, 2-ranked and short, 1/4 to 3/4
inches long.
Tsugas are typically tall, graceful trees with spreading
branches that droop downwards at the tips creating a
cascading effect. The twigs are yellow-brown, flexible,
and minutely pubescent. Young bark is thin, superficially
scaly, and brown to black. On mature trees bark is dark
brown to reddish-brown, becoming thick and strongly
grooved with age. The bark becomes deeply furrowed with
age. Inner bark is dark red streaked with purple.
It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and
the seeds ripen from October to November. The flowers are
monoecious, individual flowers are either male or female,
but both sexes can be found on the same plant, and are
pollinated by Wind. The cones are small 1.5 - 2.5 cm long,
greenish, turning brown with age and hang from the ends
of the branchlets. After dropping their seeds they remain
on the tree for quite a long time.
Hardiness zones 5-7, (-15°C,5°F/ -26°C,-15°F) in
Winter. If cultivated in full sun, note that Hemlocks may
be stressed by extremely high temperatures or dry
conditions. Extremely shade tolerant but requires extra
shelter from the wind. Tsuga need protection from strong,
freezing winds that will quickly dry out the foliage,
also from salt damage and air pollution.
The plant prefers light, sandy or medium, loamy soils.
The Western Hemlock prefers acidic, cool, moist soils
with good drainage. Feed every two weeks throughout the
growing season.
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