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Tsuga mertensiana
  • Mountain Hemlock

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Tsuga genus in the family Pinaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral,alkaline
    Very acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Tsuga mertensiana has 0 edible uses listed
Tsuga mertensiana has 0 material uses listed
Tsuga mertensiana has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Inner bark - raw or dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[1]. It is best used in the spring[2]. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[3]. A herbal tea is made from the young leaves and shoot tips[2][3].

Inner bark

Unknown use

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

The slightly unripe cones are used in pot-pourri. They retain an attractive scent for several years[4].

Yields a resin similar to Abies balsamea, it is gathered by incisions in the trunk or by boiling the wood[5][6][7]. The bark contains 8 - 14% tannin[5][8]. The inner bark is used according to one report[9]. A brown dye is obtained from the bark[10][5]. The boughs are steamed or rubbed on furniture and used as a room deodorant and disinfectant[11]. A pitch (called hemlock pitch), is obtained by distillation of the young branches[5]. Tolerant of light trimming, plants can be grown as a tall hedge[12][13].

Wood - strong[8]. Used for heavy construction[8]. Close-grained, light, soft and weak according to other reports, which go on to say that it is occasionally manufactured into lumber when other wood is not available[9][14].

Unknown part

Dye
Incense
Pot-pourri
Resin
Tannin
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark is astringent, diaphoretic and diuretic[10]. A tea made from the inner bark or twigs is helpful in the treatment of influenza, colds, kidney or bladder problems, and also makes a good enema for treating diarrhoea[10][11]. It can also be used as a gargle or mouthwash for mouth and throat problems or externally to wash sores and ulcers[10].

The powdered bark can be put into shoes for tender or sweaty feet or for foot odour[10]. A poultice of the chewed leaves has been used to treat burns[11].

The warm gum obtained from the trunks has been used as a dressing on cuts[11].

Unknown part

Astringent
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Poultice

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - it germinates better if given a short cold stratification[15][16] and so is best sown in a cold frame in autumn to late winter. It can also be sown in early spring, though it might not germinate until after the next winter. If there is sufficient seed, an outdoor sowing can be made in spring[17]. Pot-grown seedlings are best potted up into individual pots once they are large enough to handle - grow them on in a cold frame and plant them out in early summer of the following year. Trees transplant well when they are up to 80cm tall, but they are best put in their final positions when they are about 30 - 45 cm or less tall, this is usually when they are about 5 - 8 years old[4]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[4].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Tsuga mertensiana. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it thrives best when growing in a deep well-drained soil in the western parts of Britain where it appreciates the higher rainfall[18]. However, it succeeds in most soils and positions, being especially good on acidic sandy soils[13]. Plants are very shade tolerant when young, but need more sunlight as they grow older[13][4]. Plants are thin and poor when grown in dry or exposed places[4]. Dislikes atmospheric pollution[9].

A very ornamental plant[18], it is slow growing for the first few years, averaging 30cm a year, but older trees, especially in Scottish lowland sites in areas with cool moist summers, are growing rapidly[19]. Trees live 400 - 500 years in the wild[14]. They commence bearing seeds when about 20 - 30 years old, years of high production alternating with years of low production[14].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Tsuga mertensiana. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Tsuga mertensiana.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Tsuga mertensiana
Genus
Tsuga
Family
Pinaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[10][11]
Material uses & Functions
[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Botanic
[18][9][4]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    moderate
    Mature Size
    45 x 10 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

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    "image:MountainHemlock 0965.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.6 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.5 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0900629649 (1974-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    15. ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    16. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    17. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    19. ? Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)

    "image:MountainHemlock 0965.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Tsuga mertensiana"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPinaceae +
    Belongs to genusTsuga +
    Functions asHedge +
    Has common nameMountain Hemlock +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partInner bark + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateModerate +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageMountainHemlock 0965.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +, Incense +, Pot-pourri +, Resin +, Tannin + and Wood +
    Has mature height45 +
    Has mature width10 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic + and Poultice +
    Has primary imageMountainHemlock 0965.jpg +
    Has search nametsuga mertensiana + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameTsuga mertensiana +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +