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Tsuga mertensiana (Mountain hemlock)
Weyand, Phyllis

Tsuga mertensiana (Bong.) Carr.

Mountain hemlock

Pinaceae (Pine Family)

USDA Symbol: TSME

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Mountain hemlock, an evergreen tree, grows 15-150 ft. tall in the wild, but is usually 20-60 ft. in cultivation. It has red-brown, scaly bark, and a slender, pyramidal to irregular crown. The central leader is the most droopy of all hemlocks, often making a 180 degree bend and pointing at the ground. Slim branchlets form graceful, pendent masses of delicate foliage. Needles are atypically round and are swept forward adding to the slender appearance of the branches. Cones are closed for most of their life and range in color from brilliant purple to lime-green or red. Tree with tapering trunk, conical crown of slender horizontal or drooping branches, and very slender, curved, drooping leader; a prostrate shrub at timberline.

Mountain Hemlock is a characteristic species of high mountains, varying greatly in size from a large tree at low altitudes to a dwarf, creeping shrub at timberline. Hemlock groves provide cover, nesting sites, and seeds for birds, as well as foliage for mountain goats and other hoofed browsers. This species honors its discoverer, Karl H. Mertens (1796-1830), the German naturalist.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 36-72 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , NV , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Mts. from s. AK to c. CA & n.w. MT
Native Habitat: Moist, rich, wooded, subalpine slopes; 6000-11,000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Cool, moist soils.
Conditions Comments: The extremely slow-growing mountain hemlock is good for a small garden. It is not tolerant of pollution, extreme heat or southern sunshine, but adapts to a variety of soils and habitats including harsh, dry, windy sites.

Propagation

Description: Layering has proven successful, as has propagation by seed and cuttings. Cuttings must be treated and kept under mist.
Seed Collection: Cones mature in one season. Seeds are of short viability.
Seed Treatment: A 2-4 month stratification at 40 degrees hastens germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Recommended Species Lists

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Tsuga mertensiana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Tsuga mertensiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Tsuga mertensiana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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