Western Hemlock
Tsuga heterophylla
BC's provincial tree. Abundant throughout the Tri-Cities in natural forest areas, especially on shaded north-facing slopes.
FormbarkneedlesHow to recognise it
Height
50-70m (165-230ft)
Trunk
Up to 2.5m diameter with reddish-brown bark that becomes deeply furrowed with age
Needles
Short, flat needles (1-2cm) of varying lengths, arranged in flat sprays, with two white bands underneath
Cones
Small, delicate cones (2-3cm) that hang from branch tips
Quick check
- Graceful, drooping leader (top of tree)
- Feathery appearance from varied needle lengths
- Small, papery cones
- Lacy, delicate branch structure
- Two white stripes on needle undersides
Photo guide
5 things to look for: photographs coming
Care
Watering. Prefers consistent moisture and high humidity. Struggles in hot, dry conditions.
Pruning. Tolerates light pruning. Can be shaped as a hedge when young. Avoid removing the leader. Best time: Late winter to early spring before new growth
Maintenance. Low maintenance in suitable conditions. Mulch to retain moisture. Protect from reflected heat and drought.
Common issues
- Western hemlock looper (defoliating caterpillar)
- Hemlock dwarf mistletoe
- Root rot in poorly drained sites
- Heat and drought stress
Roots
Shallow, wide-spreading root system Roots typically extend 1-2x the canopy width, concentrated in top 45cm of soil
Hazards
Windfall risk
High
Branch drop risk
Low
Warning signs to watch for
- Yellowing or thinning crown
- Dwarf mistletoe brooms (dense clusters of branches)
- Extensive woodpecker damage
- Lean with cracking soil at base
- Fungi at base indicating root rot
Removal considerations
Difficulty: HighTypical cost: $$$- Can grow very tall, requiring crane or technical rigging
- Wood is dense and heavy
- Often grows close to other trees in natural stands
- Important wildlife tree (should assess for nests)
- Shade tolerance means it often grows under larger trees
Permits
Any hemlock worth removing is past every threshold in the region. Permit thresholds vary across the region: 15cm or 5m tall in Port Coquitlam, 20cm in Anmore, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, New Westminster and Delta, 30cm in Port Moody and Surrey, and 30.5cm for conifers in Burnaby (Belcarra regulates only trees 5m+ in its mapped permit areas). Hemlock is frequently removed for decay, and a dead or hazardous tree still needs the permit almost everywhere - the condition is what gets it approved, and sometimes waives the fee, but it does not remove the requirement.
Tree bylaws by city