Tsuga canadensis is found in eastern North America (from Nova Scotia to northern Georgia, westwards to Minnesota). It grows in moist rocky ridges, ravines, and hillsides at elevations of 600--1800 meters above sea level. It is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 4-7.
Tsuga canadensis also called as Eastern hemlock, Eastern hemlock-spruce, Canadian hemlock, is a species of the genus Tsuga. This species was described by Élie-Abel Carrière in 1855. It is the state tree of Pennsylvania.
IDENTIFY TSUGA CANADENSIS - EASTERN HEMLOCK PLANTS
Tsuga canadensis is found in eastern North America (from Nova Scotia to northern Georgia, westwards to Minnesota). It grows in moist rocky ridges, ravines, and hillsides at elevations of 600-1800 meters above sea level. It is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 4-7.
Eastern Hemlock is a large size, but is a relatively slow grower, coniferous tree which reaching which reaching up to 30m tall and to 0.5m in diameter trunk with broadly conic crown. The bark brownish, scaly and fissured. The twigs yellow-brown, densely pubescent. The leaves are 15-20 mm, mostly appearing 2-ranked, flattened. Seed cones ovoid, 1.5-2.5 cm long.
Some varieties: Var. albo-spica (tips of the young branchlets creamy-white), Var. parvifolia (leaves very small, branchlets stout, closely set and numerous), Var. gracilis (slow-growing form with slender sparingly ramified branches, spreading and more or less drooping at the ends, leaves very small), Var. compacta (dwarf conical pyramid with numerous short branchlets clothed with small leaves), Var. nana (dwarf and depressed form with spreading branches and short branchlets), Var. pendula (flat-topped form with spreading branches and drooping branchlets).
Canadian hemlock is used for building and making crates or boxes. The wood is also a source of pulp for paper manufacturing. Numerous cultivars of this species have been developed, including compact shrubs, dwarfs, and graceful trees.
TSUGA CANADENSIS - EASTERN HEMLOCK PLANTS CARE AND CULTIVATION
The cultivation of these plants presents no special difficulties, if proper soil and exposure are available. The question of hardiness is, of course, all-important. It is not only the problem of temperature the given tree will stand, but also the exposure to winds, and, to a considerable extent, the source from which the tree is derived. If the plants are raised from seeds matured in similar or even more rigorous climates, they are usually more hardy.
Soils:
Tsuga canadensis likes moist ground. When young and planted in a favorable soil, this hemlock is very ornamental, owing to the symmetrical arrangement of its branches and to its tufted foliage. At this age it is used for hedges, owing to its density of growth and ease of shearing. It is very valuable for single specimens and if pruned occasionally will maintain its branches well to the ground. If planted with erect-growing conifers the hemlock will relieve their stiff effect with its graceful drooping branches. It will adapt itself well in shady places for undergrowth for other trees and will grow in such situations better than any other evergreen.
Manures and mulches:
Mulching with ordinary well-rotted barnyard manure in late autumn affords much stimulus to growth. By the following spring the manure will be in a desiccated condition and can be incorporated with the soil. A heavy mulch of old straw, rotten hay, or any similar material over the roots, and this was maintained throughout the entire growing season is benefit to the plants in a more or less juvenile condition.
In many cases manure is not obtainable. In such event, newly moved plants should be heavily mulched with rotten straw, rotten hay, or any similar rubbish for a few years until they become established. The frequent stirring of the ground over the roots subsequently will conserve sufficient moisture.
An area extending from the stem to one to two feet beyond the branches, stirred up with hoe and rake perhaps five or six times throughout the growing season, is very beneficial in conserving the moisture around the roots.
Pruning:
In the case of Eastern hemlock, owing to the nature of their terminal growths, the removal of the central terminal bud cannot be accomplished very well, as the bud is very minute. The best method is to cut back the terminal branches to strong branchlets or buds, and a much denser growth will soon follow.
Transplanting:
Transplanting can be done at all times of the year, excepting midsummer when they are in full growth. The best success is secured in spring when the buds begin to swell. From the end of August to the middle of September, if there have been abundant rains and the ground has been well soaked, is a very good time to move the plants. They may be planted late in autumn when circumstances compel it, but there is likely to be a considerable percentage of loss. Their roots are very susceptible to injury from exposure to the air, and the utmost vigilance should be exercised to keep them covered and moist.
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