All Species > Tsuga mertensiana

Mountain Hemlock

High-altitude conifer with silvery needles; elegant but slower-growing; best for upright styles.

Seasonal Care Guide

Placement & Seasonal Notes

  • Placement: Full sun to partial shade
  • Notes: Tolerates more sun than other Tsuga but still benefits from shade.
  • Winter: Hardy, but prolonged freeze can damage fine root tips.
  • Summer: Water early in the day; maintain high ambient humidity.

Leaf Traits

  • Persistence: Evergreen
  • Form: Conifer

Watering & Fertilization

  • Watering: Moderate
  • Notes: Moisture retention critical; mulching is beneficial.
  • Season: Spring → Autumn
  • Fertilization: Balanced
  • Notes: Balanced feed early and late in season; avoid midsummer feeding.

Training Techniques

  • Wiring: Spring or Autumn
  • Notes: Thin bark - pad wire carefully and adjust seasonally.
  • Pruning: Maintenance throughout growing season; structural in spring
  • Notes: Best pruned after flush hardens; avoid deep cuts into bare wood.
  • Repotting: Every 3-5 years
  • Notes: Repot in cool weather; mist frequently afterward.

Propagation

  • Method: Cuttings or seed
  • Notes: Slow to root; air layering preferred for mature specimens.

Zone 8b Considerations

Watch for spider mites (Jul-Aug); Prevent rot in wet Nov-Jan