skip to main content

Hemlock replacement advice

11 years ago

Greetings all. I know the topic of hemlocks and the dread wooly adelgid is well-trodden territory, but I wanted some advice from people in the know about hemlock replacements. The area is zone 6/7, receives partial sun (6 hours day), and needs to serve as a screen. I know the common go-to evergreens for partial shade (holly, arborvitae have been suggested), but the garden has a slightly Asian feel and the bowery branches of the hemlock were perfect. We need to replace three trees. Any thoughts on balsam fir, cryptomeria radicans, Norway spruce, etc as possible options? Ideally, we want a tree that is 30-50 ft at full maturity, but a wish list is a wish list! Thoughts?

Thanks very much!

Featured Answer

jimbobfeeny

11 years ago

Not sure if it's remotely what you're looking for, but out in Delaware (one of the east coast states - for some reason, I'm sure it was Delaware), they are planting red spruce (Picea rubens) as a replacement tree for Eastern Hemlock in natural forests along rivers. It is just about as shade tolerant as Hemlock, but it isn't plagued by any pests. It doesn't have the same pendant, soft appeal that Hemlock does, but it will thrive in shade. It's only climatic problem is that it can't handle hot, dry summers, and it is certainly not drought-tolerant. If you have a cooler climate that remains in the 70s and 80s during the summer, it is definitely worth growing.

Comments (9)

wisconsitom
11 years ago
In a strange sort of way, I do indeed consider the Norway spruce to somehow be a replacement for hemlock. Perhaps it's the deep green, the draping habit of the branchlets..not exactly sure. NS can, of course, ultimately get much taller than 50 feet, but then so can hemlock.

Also, given that you're in Z6/7, perhaps another resistant hemlock could work for you.

+oM
Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
11 years ago
What about Chinese or Japanese Hemlocks?
Related Discussions
Hemlock Screen
Q
Comments (6)
Where are you located, has HWA attacked the hemlocks in your area yet? In my opinion the eastern hemlock is doomed in most parts of the country... you should consider Asian Hemlock such as Tsuga chinensis or Tsuga diversifolia. Both are immune to the disease and have the same great characteristics of the eastern hemlock. I have Tsuga chinensis and it does great in the shade, fast growing, and a really nice lime green color, which is a stands out nicely in a shade garden. This spring I have finally located some non-cultivar variety of Tsuga diversifolia and will be replacing my dying eastern hemlocks with those. The Chinese hemlock is only hardy to zone 6, but Japanese hemlock is good through zone 4. Arnold Arboretum has written some great papers on the ability of these to species to ultimately replace the Eastern Hemlock. Shawn This post was edited by SC77 on Sat, Apr 6, 13 at 21:58
...See More
Hemlock replacement followup = cryptomeria radicans
Q
Comments (3)
The best looking Cryptomeria's I saw at The US National Arboretum were in the Japanese garden area tucked in with many other conifers and on a hillside. Those that were in their other collections with full sun were not the best looking tree-species by any means. They were pretty ratty looking. You're welcome to view all my photos of my visit and see if something catches your eye. The majority are of conifers. The names of the plants are viewable if you hover the mouse over each photo. On my firefox browser I can read their names in a grey box, at the bottom of the page. In another browser it may be at the top of the page. If you click on the photo, you can read its information in the "http" box. Dax Here is a link that might be useful: US National Arboretum Photos
...See More
Hemlock question...
Q
Comments (10)
hey .. long time..no time... z5 is about half the US ... need to be a bit more specific ... in my z5 MI ... we had two z4 winters in a row ... all burlap does ... is shield the plant from winter wind ... it does not impact min low winter temp ... about as bullet proof as you can get.. is the weeping larix.. easily train it to whatever height you want ... and let it go back down from there.. being a deciduous conifer .. never have to worry about winter leaf burn .. lol ... do not get wound up in the two different pendulas ... they are so mixed up in the trade.. who knows what you will get .. and frankly.. only a handful of peeps can tell them apart with a microscope ... where are you.. and soil type for planting guide ken https://www.google.com/search?q=larix+pendula&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
...See More
Advice needed for Eastern Hemlock.
Q
Comments (56)
Just might do that! lol I may later on do more in the way of 'islands' around some of the trees and add something or other under them. Something to think about next winter. I'm leaving the center of the yard open, so when the grand kids come we can throw foot ball etc. As viewed from the deck almost directly SSE. The wife decided we should leave things so we can 'drive through' past the house in to the front yard for furniture/appliance moving etc. Front yard not so big but I had to move the lily station because after we added the bb hoop, we couldn't drive around that side of the house without running them over. You can see in the grass where it used to be. It was so root bound it hardly bloomed anyways. I'm standing in the neighbors driveway to take this pic. My yard ends several feet this side of the green ash in front of me. All this and my deer farming in the countryhas been quite enough for this year. I just finished my third week of full retirement. Well at least I got everything I wanted done for this year. Sometimes our Autumns can be quite wet so not much gets done.
...See More
Rosemontave
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you so much. Curious to hear what others have to say, but I have been leaning towards the Norway spruce, so nice to have some support! The Asian hemlocks are hard to come by in our area, but an ideal solution in theory.
gardener365
11 years ago
You may consider also:
Picea omorika (my first go to)
Cupressus nootkatensis (Pendula, Jubilee, Green Arrow, etc-) aka Chamaecyparis nootkatensis
Picea orientalis (much slower than norway) considered more elegant than other spruces.

Dax
Jon 6a SE MA
11 years ago
I think Dax's suggestion meets your desire for an Asian feel. Here is one of my 3 Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Glauca Pendula' blue weeping Alaskan cedar. I did loose 3 previous to deer rutting on them. They were / are mounted on a berm and it seems the deer were attracted to the fact they were on the top of a berm and they liked the soft foliage (I think).

{{gwi:812507}}

The pyramidal shape might take staggered rows to get real privacy.

Jon
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
the norway.. when its 50 feet tall.. do you have 30 feet for the footprint???

i would really like to see a pic of the area .. i dont know why you are handicapping us by not showing us the spot???

might also help to know where you are ... z6-7 is a bit vague ...

welcome to GW.. we need some new blood.. to keep us lively..

ken
Rosemontave
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for the welcome, Ken_adrian. I am so new that pics seemed a bit too ambitious. You are right about the footprint. With the blasted power failures due to tree limbs, I am wary of a 60 ft giant. Watch this space and I'll see if I can manage a photo. Thanks all for the wonderful suggestions, especially in terms of shade and the "style" of the tree. Keep it coming!
Rosemontave
Original Author
11 years ago
I wanted to add - ideally we are looking for a good size tree, 8-10 ft. Has anyone had good luck with a particular tree of this size? And Jon, gorgeous tree, it is on the list.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Design Tips Learned From the Worst Advice Ever

By Mitchell Parker

If these Houzzers’ tales don’t bolster the courage of your design convictions, nothing will

KITCHEN DESIGN Smart Investments in Kitchen Cabinetry — a Realtor's Advice

By Tiffany Carboni

Get expert info on what cabinet features are worth the money, for both you and potential buyers of your home

BATHROOM DESIGN Dreaming of a Spa Tub at Home? Read This Pro Advice First

By By Any Design Ltd.

Before you float away on visions of jets and bubbles and the steamiest water around, consider these very real spa tub issues

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Tips: Advice for Laundry Room Design

By Buckminster Green LLC

Thinking ahead when installing or moving a washer and dryer can prevent frustration and damage down the road

KITCHEN STORAGE Knife Shopping and Storage: Advice From a Kitchen Pro

By Tiffany Carboni

Get your kitchen holiday ready by choosing the right knives and storing them safely and efficiently

HEALTHY HOME How to Childproof Your Home: Expert Advice

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Safety strategies, Part 1: Get the lowdown from the pros on which areas of the home need locks, lids, gates and more

DECORATING GUIDES Decorating Advice to Steal From Your Suit

By Sophie Seeger

Create a look of confidence that’s tailor made to fit your style by following these 7 key tips

LIFE Get the Family to Pitch In: A Mom’s Advice on Chores

By Alison Hodgson

Foster teamwork and a sense of ownership about housekeeping to lighten your load and even boost togetherness

FURNITURE Old Furniture: Clean, Reupholster or Replace It?

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

A veteran upholstery cleaner weighs in on the options for found, inherited and thrift store furniture

REMODELING GUIDES Replace vs. Restore: The Great Window Debate

By Lindsey M. Roberts

Deciding what to do with windows in disrepair isn't easy. This insight on the pros and cons of window replacement or restoration can help

Sponsored

More Discussions

My first online order.

31

Doing Soil Tests on Soil-Less Container Media

14

What's next? small weeping white spruce (picea glauca pendula).

6

Plum yew 'Harrington' & Canaan firs

5

Sudden Globe blue spruce death?

2