Plant, care for, cut and more

Plant hemlock correctly

Choose a semi-shady, wind-protected location in the garden in order to hemlock to plant. Loosen the soil with a rake or tiller to remove stones, roots and weeds. Dig a planting pit twice the volume of the root ball. Spread a 5-10 cm thick layer of sand on the sole as effective drainage against waterlogging. Enrich the excavation with acidic leaf compost and horn shavings. Once the soil has been prepared, the actual planting process is child's play:

• Repot the young tree and place it deep in the middle of the pit so that the root ball and the ground are flush
• With a helping hand holding the stem, hammer in a support stake next to the root
• Now fill the planting hole with the substrate, tread down and water with soft water

A pruning encourages further branching. Cut off all shoots by a third. For the good end mulch the root disk with leaves or leaf compost.

care tips

You direct the growth of a hemlock in the right direction if you follow this care program:

• Keep the soil evenly moist without rashes towards drought stress or waterlogging
• From March to September every 3-4 weeks fertilize with acidic leaf compost or conifer fertilizer
• Extensive pruning and thinning in early spring, before fresh sprouting
• Hedge again around St. John's Day (24. June) cut a little into shape
• If possible, do not cut hemlock into old wood

Light winter protection makes sense for young trees in the year of planting. Established hemlocks suffer from intense winter sun, so protection from reed mats is advisable. If winter comes with frost, water the coniferous tree on mild days.
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Which location is suitable?

The hemlock will not disappoint your expectations in a sunny to partially shaded location. Since it is a shallow root, the tree is threatened by windthrow when young. A wind-protected location is therefore ideal. The coniferous tree is completely happy when it finds fresh, moist, loamy-sandy, slightly acidic and lime-poor soil.

What soil does the plant need?

Since the hemlock is sensitive to drought and lime, the most important criteria for soil conditions are fixed. A humus-rich, deep and fresh-moist soil elicits its optimum from the majestic tree. At best, the soil has a slightly acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.8, like that of native fir trees.

Cut the hemlock correctly

Cut back a specimen at least once a year to allow the sun to reach all parts of the crown. A frost-free day in January/February is ideal. However, do not cut into the old wood, as the coniferous tree will find it difficult to sprout again. If the hemlock has developed more than one base shoot, cut off the weaker specimens close to the ground.

Cultivated as a hedge, prune the hemlock in early spring and again around Midsummer Day. While winter pruning can be more extensive, limit yourself to the wispy green shoots in summer to maintain a well-groomed appearance. A trapezoidal shape with a broad base that tapers towards the top is advantageous. This shape makes an important contribution to preventing aging from within.
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Water the hemlock

The linchpin of successful care is the continuous water supply throughout the year. If a hemlock is under drought stress, it sheds its needles without further ado. In this way, it also reacts to waterlogging. Therefore, check the moisture content of the soil with a thumb test in order to water with soft water when the surface has dried.

Fertilize hemlock properly

A balanced supply of nutrients sets the course for a long tree life. Fertilize the hemlock every 3-4 weeks during the growing season with acidic leaf or coniferous compost supplemented with horn shavings. Optionally, use one conifer fertilizer, which is to be dosed according to the manufacturer's instructions. It is important to ensure sufficient watering after each fertilization.

hibernate

The hemlock is very hardy, so no action needs to be taken before the first frost. An exception are young trees in the year of planting, since the winter hardiness is not yet fully developed. Adult hemlock trees suffer from intense winter sun and frost. This is how you overwinter the ornamental trees properly:

• In the year of planting, heap the root disk thickly with autumn leaves, fixed with needle twigs
• In the first winter put on a breathable hood made of fleece
• Protect adult hemlocks from the blazing winter sun with reed mats

In dry winter weather, freezing frost and plenty of sun, the fir suffers from drought stress within a short time. Therefore, water with soft water on mild days.

Propagating hemlock

As is typical for conifers, propagation is sluggish and represents a horticultural challenge that can drag on for years. The seeds are cold germs that have to be subjected to stratification. To do this, place the seeds in a bag with moist sand in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks or place the seed pot on the wintry balcony. Then sow the seeds and keep the substrate constantly moist in a partially shaded, sheltered location. On average, after 4 years you will have a vital young plant in your hands that can be planted out.

How do I plant correctly?

In the first 5 years of life, a hemlock can be transplanted without any problems. Start the work in spring or autumn by rubbing the roots all around with the spade cut off The radius should be two thirds of the current growth height. Lift the root ball out of the ground so that as much soil as possible sticks to it. The main prerequisites for successful rooting in a new place are maintaining the previous planting depth and an adequate water supply.

Is hemlock poisonous?

Don't let the middle name hemlock confuse you. In fact, the hemlock is one of the few pine plants that does not contain any toxic ingredients. Therefore, the wood is recommended as an ideal house tree for the family garden.
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