Eastern hemlock Tsuga canadensis
Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Pinaceae family, native to Eastern North America (cool ravines and north slopes). It grows 18–30 m (59–98 ft) tall and 8–12 m (26–39 ft) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -37 °C (-35 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Eastern hemlock in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Eastern hemlock at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Mature height | 18–30 m (59–98 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -37 °C (-35 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern North America (cool ravines and north slopes) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Eastern hemlock toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not the poison hemlock (Conium); not toxic.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Eastern hemlock
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
See Eastern hemlock in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1 plants)
- Longwood Gardens (1 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (1 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (1 plants)
Questions about Eastern hemlock
- How far apart should I plant Eastern hemlock?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 m (26–39 ft).
- Does Eastern hemlock need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Eastern hemlock need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Eastern hemlock?
- It tolerates about -37 °C (-35 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- Is Eastern hemlock poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not the poison hemlock (Conium); not toxic.
- What grows well with Eastern hemlock?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Eastern hemlock. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Thain Family Forest and native plant collections, New York Botanical Garden
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- The most shade-tolerant tree of the eastern forest; NYBG's old-growth Thain Family Forest along the Bronx River gorge was named for its hemlocks, now thinned by the hemlock woolly adelgid.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens
- Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii
- Eastern white pine Pinus strobus
- Scots pine Pinus sylvestris
- Norway spruce Picea abies
- Siberian larch Larix sibirica
- Two-needle piñon Pinus edulis