Western hemlock, Western Hemlock Spruce
Tsuga heterophylla

Family: Pinaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 22-30 m high and spreads 6-9 m across. It is conical in shape. The bark is cracked and purple-brown. The branches are slender. The lower branches droop. The leaves are flattened and needle-like. They are 5-20 mm long. They are dark green with silvery bands underneath. The small shoots hang down. The cones are oval and green. They ripen to dark brown. They are 20-25 mm long. They have blunt tips and short stalks. Cones openly in autumn and seed are shed gradually. Cones can remain on the tree for 1 or 2 years.

There are 10 or 11 Tsuga species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in forests in W North America. It is frost hardy. It can tolerate shade. It will grow on a variety of soils. It does well in acid soils. Plenty of moisture in the soil and atmosphere is important for good growth. In Hobart Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America (country/location of origin), Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The inner bark was baked and eaten. It is made into cakes or bread. The young twigs are boiled with honey or molasses to produce spruce beer. It is also the source of an oil used as flavouring in the food industry.

Edible parts

Leaves for tea, bark

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by cuttings.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Tsuga albertiana;