anything can be kept in any size or form you wish ... presuming it will grow where ever you are ...

its the basis of topiary.. when you think about it ...

how to do it ... buy a good pruning saw.. and hand shears .. and just go at it.. gently guiding it the way you want it to grow ..as the decades pass ...

i just dont know what more to tell you ... at this point in time ... since it doesnt even sound like you have the plant yet ...

see link for a very general discussion ....

ken

http://conifersociety.org/conifers/designing-with-conifers/

Yes, such plants can be kept "in bounds" more or less indefinitely via judicious pruning. Make all "target" pruning cuts. That is, always cut back to a lateral branch or branchlet. Avoid doing anything which will cause upper plant portions to shade out lower plant portions.....so a little wider at the base.

+oM

i dont have this particular plant...

though i am sure there is a whole world of options out there.. especially mail order.. and in a mutltude of sizes ...

starting small and training anything . ... is much better buying large and then trying to train it ...

why are you so interested in this one.. i hope its not because it is immediately available??? ... like bigboxstore or something ...

do keep in mind.. whatever maniacal plan you come up with.. august is not prime planting time in most the US ..

also.. mush of the east coast is not conducive to hemlocks ...

where are you?

ken

mainegrower,

Your point about the tree's character is a big reason why I am hesitant to put the Sargent's in a smaller space. I do in general like plants to assume their natural form, and this one is of course amazing. I fell in love with the Sargent's at Tyler Arboretum near Philly, which is where I live. Ken, this was not remotely immediately available, I have been searching high and low and finally found one, and it is not cheap. I think I will put this in another spot with much more space, and think of another alternative for my smaller spot.

The smaller spot would serve to anchor a perennial garden. There is a nice black gum tree nearby. Maybe I'll consider a small Japanese maple. Other suggestions?

massimillano_allegri: I really don't wish to be overly discouraging, but before expending the time, effort and money on planting this tree, check some things. First, what is the hemlock wooly aldegid situation in your area? I know these pests have been devastating in parts of PA. Second, the natural habitat of tsuga canadensis is very different from the area in which you live. They are plants of the mountains, stream sides and cool northern forests. I would question how well they would cope with the heat and humidity of the Philadelphia area. Certainly someone at the Tyler, the state ag department or extension service can answer these questions.

Thanks, I'll look into it. I do have 2 other T. canadensis: one straight species, one small weeping. I have woolly adelgids on the straight species from time to time but I find that I can control them. There are others in the area that seem to be doing well. Of course there are also specimens in the neighborhood that look terrible. Perhaps a somewhat shady spot would be best?

At least partial shade or morning sun with afternoon shade would be a good idea. The adelgids can be usually be controlled with a yearly application of a soil drench containing imidacloprid. Dormant oil sprays can also be used. I am not sure, however, how well this will work in an area with an active infestation.

BTW, my own SWH was planted from a 3 gallon container around 30 years ago. It is now around 16 feet tall and almost 20 feet in width at the widest part. It is planted on a steep bank, so the hanging branches originating at the crown and cascading downward are at least 25 to 30 feet long on the downhill side. By way of contrast, a Cole's Prostrate hemlock planted at roughly the same time was staked upward. It's about 5 feet tall and occupies a space of about 10 by 12 feet. No adelgids on either tree to date, but a constant concern.

PLEASE post pics!

Pretty much beyond my digital expertise. I already know more about computer stuff than I ever wanted to, so my interest in adding any other half-developed skills is non-existant.

Sounds like I better head up to Maine then.