Tsuga mertensiana (Mountain Hemlock)
Our native alpine hemlock is different from our lowland Western Hemlock in stature, growing conditions, and form.
Mountain Hemlock develops into a slender, smallish tree with layered branches, but lacks the droopy top and lace-like quality of our towering Western Hemlock. It is a “Great Plant Pick,” and noted as “one of the Northwest’s most beautiful native evergreens.”
Its small stature allows it to fit in most residential landscapes, serving as a “backbone species” in a small space. It complements an alpine-themed landscape, or may just be the larger (though still small!) tree in scale with the smaller plants needed in a more compact landscape. It is equally at home enhancing a backyard wildlife pond or sharing space with dwarf fruit trees, allowing many smaller shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials to occupy the space below it.
Unlike our lowland hemlock, Mountain Hemlock grows beautifully in full sun, but will tolerate very light shade. In 10 years of growth, it will be about 10-12 ft. tall, by only about 6 ft. wide; at maturity, it tops out at 20 ft. or less, but only 8 ft. wide.
It is drought tolerant once established; give it plenty of water its first summer, then start reducing it more and more over the next few summers until it is firmly established and adapted to our summer drought.
Mountain Hemlock provides cover and nesting habitat for many songbirds, hummingbirds, and small mammals.
Our native alpine hemlock is different from our lowland Western Hemlock in stature, growing conditions, and form.
Mountain Hemlock develops into a slender, smallish tree with layered branches, but lacks the droopy top and lace-like quality of our towering Western Hemlock. It is a “Great Plant Pick,” and noted as “one of the Northwest’s most beautiful native evergreens.”
Its small stature allows it to fit in most residential landscapes, serving as a “backbone species” in a small space. It complements an alpine-themed landscape, or may just be the larger (though still small!) tree in scale with the smaller plants needed in a more compact landscape. It is equally at home enhancing a backyard wildlife pond or sharing space with dwarf fruit trees, allowing many smaller shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials to occupy the space below it.
Unlike our lowland hemlock, Mountain Hemlock grows beautifully in full sun, but will tolerate very light shade. In 10 years of growth, it will be about 10-12 ft. tall, by only about 6 ft. wide; at maturity, it tops out at 20 ft. or less, but only 8 ft. wide.
It is drought tolerant once established; give it plenty of water its first summer, then start reducing it more and more over the next few summers until it is firmly established and adapted to our summer drought.
Mountain Hemlock provides cover and nesting habitat for many songbirds, hummingbirds, and small mammals.
Our native alpine hemlock is different from our lowland Western Hemlock in stature, growing conditions, and form.
Mountain Hemlock develops into a slender, smallish tree with layered branches, but lacks the droopy top and lace-like quality of our towering Western Hemlock. It is a “Great Plant Pick,” and noted as “one of the Northwest’s most beautiful native evergreens.”
Its small stature allows it to fit in most residential landscapes, serving as a “backbone species” in a small space. It complements an alpine-themed landscape, or may just be the larger (though still small!) tree in scale with the smaller plants needed in a more compact landscape. It is equally at home enhancing a backyard wildlife pond or sharing space with dwarf fruit trees, allowing many smaller shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials to occupy the space below it.
Unlike our lowland hemlock, Mountain Hemlock grows beautifully in full sun, but will tolerate very light shade. In 10 years of growth, it will be about 10-12 ft. tall, by only about 6 ft. wide; at maturity, it tops out at 20 ft. or less, but only 8 ft. wide.
It is drought tolerant once established; give it plenty of water its first summer, then start reducing it more and more over the next few summers until it is firmly established and adapted to our summer drought.
Mountain Hemlock provides cover and nesting habitat for many songbirds, hummingbirds, and small mammals.