The Hemlock (Tsuga) Discussion THREAD.

[ABCarve]

This is my pals canadensis with a different growth habit. First photo (9/16/20) is its entire growing season without scissors. 2nd photo is after its yearly cutback. Not a lot of growth and it doesn't seem to extend very far. He told me his winter storage regime is removing it from the pot and putting it in the ground. When spring comes its pulled from the ground and hosed off to get the garden soil removed. Essentially a yearly repot. Maybe that's what slows it down. The third photo is mine at bud-break spring ( 5/22/14 ) and 4th photo growing out ( 6/10/14 ). The new growth would probably keep extending another 2-3 inches if allowed to before hardening off. If I didn't cut it back ( 6/21/14) all that new growth would shade out all the inner growth, making it difficult to keep the silhouette chased back.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Anyone noticing any “fall colors” on their Tsuga?

 

[ABCarve]

Thought this might be of interest. NW PA virgin eastern hemlock. Sign says 175 ft. high. Yes ...another peeing opportunity.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Just lifted one of these today. Gonna see what happens in spring. Seems like a fun species.

 

[CWTurner]

Thought this might be of interest. NW PA virgin eastern hemlock. Sign says 175 ft. high.

Wow, that's a big one. There is a virgin stand in NE PA at Salt Springs State Park, but I don't remember any that size.
CW

 

[CWTurner]

Seems like a fun species.

I love this species, but they are difficult as bonsai. At least in my unskilled hands.

Good luck!
CW

 

[August44]

I love this species, but they are difficult as bonsai. At least in my unskilled hands.

Good luck!
CW

What about them is difficult if you don't mind sharing. Before I get one that is already started @ $100 + I would like to have an idea what I am getting into. Thanks!

 

[CWTurner]

What about them is difficult if you don't mind sharing. Before I get one that is already started @ $100 + I would like to have an idea what I am getting into. Thanks!

Biggest problem is that I can't get them to backbud. I think that is pretty much universal with Eastern Hemlock.
And this year the Spotted Lanternfly were feeding on some landscape hemlock so there is that to watch out for now.
CW
Edit I just saw your location, so you likely have Western Hemlock, which is a different tree completely.

 

[August44]

We have no hemlock here for some reason. They are in other parts of Eastern Oregon and up the creek in Washington but not here. The ones in Bend area are Mt Hemlocks I hear. Have you ever tried to really throw fertilizer at them during the grow season? I did that with native pines etc this year and did well on back budding that I had never had before. If I'm going to get one, I will get Mt Hemlock.

 

[ABCarve]

Wow, that's a big one. There is a virgin stand in NE PA at Salt Springs State Park, but I don't remember any that size.
CW

It’s a stand a logger left untouched and called it “Hearts Content “

 

[Aeast]

Here's one of mine I collected, I've been working on it and chasing back the roots for about 8 years now. Eastern hemlock.

 

[ghues]

Good luck, here is a link showing Mt. Hemlocks range.....https://www.google.ca/search?q=mountain+hemlock+range&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ca&client=safari#imgrc=WnKT6wqYzF8OXM
It does appear that there is a small are in the NE Or? They are a great species to work on so you should have fun.

Thought this might be of interest. NW PA virgin eastern hemlock. Sign says 175 ft. high. Yes ...another peeing opportunity. View attachment 336258

We have no hemlock here for some reason. They are in other parts of Eastern Oregon and up the creek in Washington but not here. The ones in Bend area are Mt Hemlocks I hear. Have you ever tried to really throw fertilizer at them during the grow season? I did that with native pines etc this year and did well on back budding that I had never had before. If I'm going to get one, I will get Mt Hemlock.

 

[ghues]

Here is a western of mine (summer shot)......going for the ancient old growth look (formal upright). Trying to make this Bonsai look like a tree. I try to incorporate the aging process by the inclusion of all stages of decay and the trees attempt to struggle within its environment and with Father Time. The other photos are examples I draw inspiration from
Cheers
Gman.

 

[August44]

Good job with that! Looking good!

 

[Cable]

Progression on mine.


March 2018 after collection


July 2019


October 2019


April 2020


May 2020


August 2020

 

[August44]

That's a heck of a change between May 2020, and August 2020. How did you manage to get that?

 

[Aeast]

They grow wicked fast! Especially when pinched throughout the growing season.

April 2020

Sept 2020


Sane tree different angle

 

[W3rk]

Recently collected local Hemlock, so either canadensis or caroliniana. "Shohin"/stick in a pot, small and thin, but has some nice character/movement because it had been chewed down/knocked back a couple of times. Really like their foliage (smells amazing) and looking forward to seeing how it grows in the spring.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Recently collected local Hemlock, so either canadensis or caroliniana. "Shohin"/stick in a pot, small and thin, but has some nice character/movement because it had been chewed down/knocked back a couple of times. Really like their foliage (smells amazing) and looking forward to seeing how it grows in the spring.
View attachment 340841

Nice little tree. Looks like an eastern, but I’m not sure how different a carolina would look, not having knowingly seen one. I read that the root habit is the most distinguishing trait.
If it were mine, and I already have a couple medium large ones, so grain of salt, but I would keep it small and emphasize the movement you’ve noted from the cut backs. I would, in time, cut back the lower straight branches, or better yet, wire well out of the way, and tilt to the left on next repotting.
Tsuga do take grafts well, I have heard second hand, so if you aren’t going for a mini literati (which could be viable), you could bring down some long growth to place some lower branches.
And, good plan to see how it responds to collection. That first straight thin branch could be brought way down while it is still nice and thin, maybe in stages so as not to risk tearing it out. Mine respond well to lots of nitrogen fertilizer. I use agriform tablets.

 

[ghues]

Up here on the 50th and in the PNW we get a lot of 🌧 (especially fall through to summer), temperatures are in the mild/moderate range and in winter we can get the odd cold chill (couple of weeks max) usually in January or February. With all that rain and mild temperatures, comes lots of moss on my Bonsai.......doing some seasonal wiring and clean up......I noticed that with our recent mild temperatures the roots on my Hemlock are still very active.