The Canadian or Eastern Hemlock is a surprising choice for a privacy screen. While the everyday gardener know the majestic beauty of the Canadian Hemlock as an stunning, focal evergreen, professionals know the endless merits to using this Hemlock as a beautiful and dense hedge!

The Eastern Hemlock is extremely cold hardy growing into a zone 3. It is the best choice for privacy in cold areas! Prune to your heart's content! This tree in the Pine family tolerates heavy pruning. The roots are not invasive! Hemlock roots are not known to push up sidewalks or driveways. They do not invade pipes or interfere with your foundation.

Hemlocks are great for the environment! They rarely suffer from severe disease or pest problems so there is not a need for sprays and chemicals. The foliage provides cover and a home for wildlife. The cones feed many types of birds. The Canadian Hemlock has fragrant foliage that is soft to the touch making it perfect for families with children and pets. The Canadian Hemlock has graceful, flowing branches that cascade down the tree in dense layers. This evergreen has a pyramidal shape, but its form is looser than other pyramidal evergreens especially as it ages.

Canadian Hemlocks thrive in full sun AND shade and well-draining, moist, acidic soil. Fertilize in spring and then again in early fall for best growth. We recommend our balanced, slow-release fertilizer (or Hollytone if your soil needs some help with acidity). You never need to prune your Hemlock, but Eastern Hemlocks do tolerate pruning to any size and shape which is why they make fantastic hedges!

Is This Tree Fast Growing?

Grows at a rate of up to 24" per year to a mature height of 40-60 feet.

When Should I Prune This Evergreen?

Pruning of any overgrowth should be done in late winter to early spring before the new grow season.

Where Should The Canadian Hemlock Be Planted?

Plant this adaptable evergreen in a spot that has well drained soil that may be slightly acidic with full sun, part shade or shady conditions.

Spring and fall are great times for planting your Canadian Hemlock. However, winter is fine as long as the ground isn't frozen and if you are in an area that has mild summers, like zones 2-5, summer is a great time to plant as well.

The Canadian Hemlock thrives in full to part sun and adapts to any soil that is well drained. A neutral to acidic soil is best. If you know you have an alkaline soil choose an acidic fertilizer like Espoma's Hollytone. After planting, adding a layer of 2 inches of mulch will help keep the soil moist. Do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk as this increases the chances of pests and disease. Water your new tree deeply a couple times a week for the first month or two. After your plants are established, they only need watered when the soil is dry. Hemlocks are drought tolerant after establishing. Fertilize when planting and in early spring yearly with a slow release fertilizer. 

Canadian Hemlocks are beautiful focal trees. With soft foliage and layered, flowing branches this is one unique evergreen.  No sharp needles and a regal, but graceful look when allowed to grow naturally, this tree is a great choice.

Canadian Hemlocks are perfect for adding privacy to your yard.  They tolerate heavy pruning and can be sheared to the size and shape you desire.  Plant about 10 feet apart for a dense hedge.  Stagger for a quicker privacy solution.

For additional options, be sure to browse our Evergreen trees collection.