Mountain Hemlock
Tsuga mertensiana
Also listed as Hesperopeuce mertensiana, Abies mertensiana
Also known as Alpine Hemlock, Hemlock Spruce
Climate Match for your location
See how well Mountain Hemlock grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A slow-growing evergreen conifer native to high elevations in the Pacific Northwest, valued for its dense, attractive foliage and compact form. Mountain hemlock thrives in cool, moist climates and makes an excellent specimen tree for alpine or woodland gardens.
Why grow it
Mountain hemlock offers a distinctly pyramidal, fine-textured silhouette that differentiates it from other high-elevation conifers like subalpine fir or whitebark pine, with the advantage of superior cold and moisture tolerance in alpine zones. Unlike many dwarf conifers, it maintains architectural presence even at maturity while remaining slower-growing than comparable landscape hemlocks, making it suitable for gardeners seeking a specimen that won't rapidly outgrow its site. Its dense branching and graceful pendulous branchlet tips provide year-round visual interest in woodland or alpine settings where few ornamental conifers perform reliably.
Watch out for
This species has specific site requirements and performs poorly outside cool, high-elevation climates with consistent moisture and good air circulation, so lowland or hot-summer gardeners often encounter slow decline or foliage browning regardless of care. Young plants benefit from afternoon shade and protection from drying winds during establishment, which may require several growing seasons longer than faster-growing alternatives. Mountain hemlock typically reaches only modest heights (30-60 feet in cultivation versus taller in native stands), so expectation-setting about its pace of growth helps avoid disappointment.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Pacific Northwest mountains (Oregon to British Columbia)
Native to: Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A slow-growing evergreen conifer native to high elevations in the Pacific Northwest, valued for its dense, attractive foliage and compact form. Mountain hemlock thrives in cool, moist climates and makes an excellent specimen tree for alpine or woodland gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Mountain Hemlock grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Mountain hemlock offers a distinctly pyramidal, fine-textured silhouette that differentiates it from other high-elevation conifers like subalpine fir or whitebark pine, with the advantage of superior cold and moisture tolerance in alpine zones. Unlike many dwarf conifers, it maintains architectural presence even at maturity while remaining slower-growing than comparable landscape hemlocks, making it suitable for gardeners seeking a specimen that won't rapidly outgrow its site. Its dense branching and graceful pendulous branchlet tips provide year-round visual interest in woodland or alpine settings where few ornamental conifers perform reliably.
Watch out for
This species has specific site requirements and performs poorly outside cool, high-elevation climates with consistent moisture and good air circulation, so lowland or hot-summer gardeners often encounter slow decline or foliage browning regardless of care. Young plants benefit from afternoon shade and protection from drying winds during establishment, which may require several growing seasons longer than faster-growing alternatives. Mountain hemlock typically reaches only modest heights (30-60 feet in cultivation versus taller in native stands), so expectation-setting about its pace of growth helps avoid disappointment.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Pacific Northwest mountains (Oregon to British Columbia)
Native to: Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.