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Canadian hemlock is a perennial tree from the Pine family. Coniferous wood is used for furniture production, while bark and needles are used in the pharmaceutical and perfume industries. An evergreen tree native to Canada, widespread in America, especially in its northern part. Canadian hemlock and its varieties are grown as a decorative element for landscape design.
What is hemlock and what does it look like?
The genus Hemlock includes more than 20 species of coniferous trees.But only Canadian hemlock, due to its winter hardiness, is optimally suited for the temperate climate of Russia, which is why its various forms are popular with designers. The tree received its specific name from its distribution area; its generic name comes from a species growing in Japan.
There are no seedlings for mass sale on the territory of the Russian Federation; you will not see decorative forms in parks or squares. Canadian hemlock is a brand of popular landscape designers in Moscow, Moscow region, and St. Petersburg. The culture can be found in the botanical gardens of Tver and Voronezh universities, in the arboretum of Sochi.
Description of the classic Canadian hemlock (pictured):
- A tree with a regular cone-shaped, stepped crown, spreading. The branches grow horizontally, the tops are drooping. Height is about 20-23 m. The trunk is upright, tapering towards the crown, the diameter of the lower part is 70-110 cm.
- The bark of the skeletal branches and trunk of a young conifer is dark brown with a burgundy tint, the structure is scaly. With age, it becomes tough, thickened, with longitudinal deep grooves.
- The branches are short, the lower ones are formed low above the ground. Hemlock shoots are thin and drooping.
- The needles are small, flat, with a rounded top, dark green, with 2 longitudinal light lines on the lower part. The needles are densely located on the shoots.
- The culture is monoecious, producing light green female and yellow small round strobili for males.
- The cones are oval, oblong, 2.5 cm long, formed on the tips of the shoots. The color is light brown with a gray tint. They ripen within a year and fall off the next season.
- The seeds are small, oval, equipped with lionfish.
The first male strobili appear after 20 years of growing season. The tree enters reproductive age.The seeds ripen by October and scatter. They may germinate in the spring or remain dormant until the next season.
How fast does Canadian hemlock grow?
This species grows very slowly, especially in the first ten years. By the age of 15-20, the height of Canadian hemlock does not exceed 8-10 m. Subsequently, the annual growth increases slightly, but depends on the growing conditions. The tree is one of the longest-livers in the world of flora; its biological cycle lasts more than 500 years.
Varieties of Canadian hemlock
Canadian hemlock is the only representative of the genus with a large number of cultivars. The decorative natural form of the tree with soft fluffy needles and drooping branches formed the basis of dwarf varieties, medium-sized trees with a weeping crown and creeping varieties. Canadian hemlock has more than 60 varieties; below is a general overview of the most popular cultivars in Europe and Russia.
Jeddeloh
A miniature plant that forms a very short trunk, so visually the variety looks like a shrub. The shape is round, the crown is lower than the last branches, forms a depression in the form of a wide funnel, reminiscent of a bird's nest.
The height and width of the Canadian hemlock variety are directly proportional, the parameters of an adult tree are 0.5 m. The needles are dark green, thick, the tops are light olive in color. The cultivar grows very slowly and tolerates shade. Reacts poorly to low air humidity.
Jervis
Round, without a clear shape, very compact tree. Jervis is classified as a dwarf variety, the maximum height of an adult seedling does not exceed 0.3 m, the crown diameter is 2 times larger.
The needles are soft, densely growing, dark green. The shoots of the current season are bright green and numerous.The cultivar produces few cones, and then only after 15 years of growing season; they are conical, brown, up to 2.5 cm long.
Stockman Dwarf
The variety is low-growing - 50-100 cm, creeping in shape, branched bush, with numerous small cones of a brown tint.
The needles are short, flat, rather wide, with rounded tips, densely growing. Dwarf hemlock is suitable for growing on the plot and in flower volumes. Stockman Dwarf is characterized by high shade tolerance and frost resistance. Reacts poorly to transplantation.
Minute
A spherical dwarf tree (20x20 cm) on a short trunk, the lower branches lie on the ground surface.
Canadian hemlock Minute forms a compact, dense crown of regular spherical shape. The annual growth is insignificant (within 4 mm). The needles are glossy, rich green, the shoots are a shade lighter. Frost resistance is high up to -30 0C. The culture is used for landscaping rock gardens.
Nana
A dwarf variety of Canadian hemlock with horizontally growing branches and drooping tops. Grows up to 1 m, the width is 2 times greater.
The cultivar is ideal for creating a hedge. The crown is dense, dense with numerous shiny needles of bright green color. The cones are small, spindle-shaped, dark brown, and are formed in small quantities. The variety is winter-hardy, shade-tolerant, and low drought resistance.
Hussii
One of the popular semi-dwarf cultivars. It is difficult to determine clear boundaries of the crown.
The tree is dense, branched, the lower circle of branches may be shorter than the upper ones, the tree is closer to a rounded shape.The maximum size is 2.5 m. The growth is insignificant, by the age of 8 the variety barely reaches 90 cm, the width at any age is 1/2 of the height. The needles are soft, thick, dark, contrasting with the bright young shoots. The plant does not lose its decorative appearance in the shade and is characterized by high winter hardiness.
Pendula
Canadian hemlock Pendula has a weeping form and includes several more subspecies, varying in size and color of needles.
This is a very beautiful ornamental tree with a dense drooping crown and the absence of skeletal branches, thin graceful shoots. The plant is often used as a scion for taller conifers. As an independent hemlock tree, Canadian Pendula can reach 1.5 m. It is a very dense tree with small green needles with a delicate blue tint. The plant prefers partial shade and has high frost resistance.
Cole
The Cole cultivar is known under different names: Cole's Prostrate, Cole's Prostrate, Cole. Canadian hemlock Coles Prostrate is classified as an elite variety of weeping form.
A unique ground cover plant grows up to 0.8 m in height, branches extend up to 1.5 m. The needles are narrow, elongated, and dense. The peak of ornamental beauty of Canadian hemlock Cole s Prostrate occurs at the beginning of summer, when young light green shoots appear. The plant is a good option for a rock garden with an artificial pond. Hemlock does not tolerate low air humidity and grows in the shade and in open areas.
Mall
The habit is weeping, the branches are of different lengths, spread out, growing in different directions. Externally, the tree resembles a shrub up to 2-2.5 m wide. The height does not exceed 1.5 m.
The growth is about 5 cm. The plant responds equally well to shade and sun, and is highly frost-resistant.
Gentsch White
The cultivar is popular among landscape designers due to its unusual color. During the period of formation of silvery young shoots, green needles look as if covered with frost.
Gentsch White is classified as a dwarf variety. The tree grows up to 60 cm in height, the length of outstretched branches is 115 cm. The tree requires pruning and does not tolerate direct sunlight.
Macrophylla
Hemlock Canadian Macrophylla is a slender tree with a regular wide-pyramidal crown. The peculiarity of the cultivar is the presence of short branches at the top, growing in different directions, which resemble a fountain.
Among the varieties of Canadian hemlock, Macrophila is classified as large-sized; the tree can grow up to 15 m.
Grows in neutral soils, requiring sprinkling in dry weather.
Compacta
Canadian hemlock Compacta remains decorative only in a shaded area. In the sun, the needles turn yellow and fall off, completely exposing the branches. The trunk of the tree is short, it seems that the branches are formed from the root.
The tree has the appearance of a shrub with randomly located stems and a flat crown. The tops of the branches are drooping, the needles are light green with a blue tint, small, flat. The growth of the variety is insignificant, the maximum height is 0.5 m, the diameter is 3 times larger.
Fastigiata
The Canadian hemlock variety Fastigiata grows up to 2 m and is distinguished by its wide pyramidal, semi-weeping shape. The needles are small, densely arranged, light green.
The plant is not demanding on the composition of the soil and has high frost resistance. With periodic sprinkling it can grow in an open area.
Young Con
Canadian hemlock Young Con is a dwarf cultivar with an extraordinary shape, presented in the form of a bouquet of spreading branches collected in a bunch.
The needles are long with a silvery tint. The height of the crop is within 1 meter. The annual growth of the tree is not bad - 10-17 cm. The variety responds well to pruning and shaping. Does not tolerate soil drying out.
Iceberg
Iceberg is a rare variety of Canadian hemlock with a round pyramidal shape. The tree is low, up to 1.5 m, with horizontally growing branches. The diameter is 2.5 times the height.
The crown is loose, the needles grow densely, the color is light green. Young shoots are white, drooping. The culture is shade-tolerant, undemanding to the soil. It grows slowly, the natural form is decorative, so no shaping is required.
The use of Canadian hemlock in landscape design
A frost-resistant crop with numerous decorative cultivars can be used in any design concept. Use hemlock:
- for landscaping rockeries;
- as a hedge;
- in composition with flowering shrubs;
- as tamping of large sizes;
- as a tapeworm in the center of the lawn;
- for decorating the banks of artificial reservoirs;
- for decorating a rock garden.
Below are several photos of Canadian hemlock in landscape design.
Planting Canadian hemlock
Timely planting of Canadian hemlock and subsequent care will ensure the decorative appearance of the evergreen tree throughout the year. Hemlock is planted in moist soil; stagnation of water is unacceptable even with good drainage. The soil composition suitable for cultivation is neutral or slightly acidic. The tree grows poorly on heavy saline or calcareous soil. Wind resistance is low, the plant does not tolerate drafts and dry wind.The site is chosen semi-shaded or open, possibly near a body of water. Air humidity should always be high.
Canadian hemlock is planted in spring - in April, in autumn - at the end of September. If necessary, neutralize the acidity of the soil. The planting hole is dug in advance, drainage and a nutrient mixture of peat and compost are placed at the bottom. The hole is deepened by 80 cm, the width should be 20 cm greater than the root ball. Hemlock is planted as a seedling with a closed root.
Landing algorithm:
- The root is uncovered in front of the hole.
- Using the transshipment method, planting material is placed in the center.
- Cover with nutrient mixture.
- Water and mulch.
The root collar is left above the soil level. When planting several plants, the distance is 85-1.5 m (depending on the diameter of the crown of an adult plant).
How to care for Canadian hemlock
The coniferous crop is grown for its decorative habit, so the main task is to create the most comfortable conditions for the growing season, close to the biological characteristics of hemlock. The tree, especially its ornamental varieties, requires feeding, watering, pruning and pest control.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Water the plant as needed; the soil near the root should not be allowed to dry out; waterlogging is a direct path to disease and death of the conifer. The norm for an adult plant is 12-15 liters of water per week. For seedlings, the volume is 2 times less, and the schedule is the same. Hemlock requires sprinkling; if there is no precipitation, the procedure is carried out every evening.The plants are fed with phosphorus-containing products for two years. From the third year, the plant does not need fertilizer.
Loosening and mulching the soil
Mulching is a mandatory condition of agricultural technology for Canadian hemlock. The covering layer of the trunk circle will retain moisture and prevent overheating of the root in hot weather. Any material is used, but more often they take wood bark or wood chips. In the fall, the layer is increased, in the spring the soil is loosened, and the mulch is renewed. Weeds are removed throughout the season.
Pruning rules
Hemlock and its varieties have a decorative crown, so formation is rarely carried out. Vertical pruning involves hedges; shoots that extend beyond the visual border are cut off. According to professionals, one haircut for hemlock at 3 years is enough. Ephedra grows slowly. Molding is carried out in the fall, and sanitary pruning in the spring, cutting off dry and damaged areas.
Pests and diseases of Canadian hemlock
The classic variety of Canadian hemlock rarely gets sick, and is practically not parasitized by insects. Cultivars are less resistant to infection and may be affected by late blight. The disease begins from the root system and covers the entire crown. The reason lies in waterlogging of the soil; to eliminate the problem, watering is reduced and the tree is treated with Fundazol. At an earlier age, hemlock is susceptible to rust, the tops of the shoots darken, and the needles fall off. For rust, use “Hom”.
Among the pests on Canadian hemlock, spider mites are parasitic. Constant sprinkling washes away pests; in case of mass spread of ticks, insecticides “Decis” or “Baktofit” are used.
Problems with growing: why in the spring hemlock began to dry out and crumble
Hemlock is a coniferous tree and its problems with yellowing and shedding of needles are the same as with all conifers. If in the spring the tree begins to turn yellow, it means a biological failure has occurred. The shoots have begun to grow, but the root system has not yet emerged from its dormant state. The yellowing of the needles will be distinct from the sunny side; it is necessary to shade the plant or install a screen.
The cause of crown shedding can be a deficiency of microelements in the soil, so in the spring the poor soil is fertilized with phosphorus agents.
The problem with decorativeness occurs on constantly moist soils. The needles dry out due to fungal infections.
Conclusion
Canadian hemlock is an evergreen coniferous crop with high frost resistance and shade tolerance. Based on the large variety, many cultivars of dwarf, weeping and strictly pyramidal shapes have been created. Hemlock is used in ornamental gardening to decorate the landscape.
