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Tree · Pinaceae family

Eastern hemlock

Tsuga canadensis

Part shade to shade in a garden 2.5–5 m × 1.5–3 m to −34 °C

In short a 10-second read

LightPart shade to shade
in a garden after 10 years2.5–5 m
in the wild up to 25 m
spacing 8 m
PlantingMarch–April, September–October
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Light, soil and water.

It grows best in part shade to shade, in average to moist soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil
acidicneutralalkaline
average to moisthumus-richloamy

Watering

keep the soil evenly moistdo not waterlogless when it rains

Frost

−34 °C
no winter protectiongreen in winter too

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m10 m11 m12 m13 m14 m15 m16 m17 m18 m19 m20 m21 m22 m23 m24 m25 m15–25 mspread 8–12 m
15–25 m× spread 8–12 m

Plant 8 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, root-balled).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, September–October; root-balled: March–April, September–October

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

Softwood spider mite

Oligonychus ununguis
pestsource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

Needles are faded, greyish to rusty brown, and laced with fine webbing.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Water the tree sufficiently; wash mites off the leaves/needles with a strong jet of water.
  2. BiologicalSpare predatory mites and other natural enemies; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides.
  3. Gentle spray winter dormancy; in season as neededUltra-fine horticultural oil in winter dormancy against overwintering eggs; in season, oil at a low concentration spares predatory mites.
Softwood spider mitepest

What you will see

Needles are faded, greyish to rusty brown, and laced with fine webbing.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Water the tree sufficiently; wash mites off the leaves/needles with a strong jet of water.
  2. BiologicalSpare predatory mites and other natural enemies; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides.
  3. Gentle spray winter dormancy; in season as neededUltra-fine horticultural oil in winter dormancy against overwintering eggs; in season, oil at a low concentration spares predatory mites.
More about this problem

Basal canker (flooding)

physiological disordersource covers the whole genus

What you will see

In very wet places a brown, oozing canker can form at the base of the trunk; it is linked to waterlogging and no causal agent is known.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Plant only in well-drained spots and do not overwater (this prevents the disorder).
Basal canker (flooding)physiological disorder

What you will see

In very wet places a brown, oozing canker can form at the base of the trunk; it is linked to waterlogging and no causal agent is known.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Plant only in well-drained spots and do not overwater (this prevents the disorder).
Sources (3)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does eastern hemlock tolerate shade?

Yes, it tolerates full shade.

How much space does eastern hemlock need?

At maturity 8–12 m wide and 15–25 m tall; recommended spacing 8 m.

Softwood spider mite — what can you do?

Water the tree sufficiently; wash mites off the leaves/needles with a strong jet of water. Spare predatory mites and other natural enemies; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides.

Basal canker (flooding) — what can you do?

Plant only in well-drained spots and do not overwater (this prevents the disorder).

Sources (12) Checked 24 October 2026

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