Culture
Grow in moist, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers cool, moist, woodland conditions in part shade locations. Tolerates full sun in the northern parts of its growing range. Intolerant of drought and should be watered regularly in prolonged dry spells, particularly when plants are young. Site in locations protected from strong winds.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tsuga diversifolia, commonly known as northern Japanese hemlock, is native to areas near tree line in northern Japan In its native habitat, it typically grows to 30-90' tall as a pyramidal tree with a conical crown. In cultivation, it rarely tops 40' in height and often grows in a shrubby form. Small glossy dark green needles (to 3/8" long) are furrowed above, have an indentation at the tip and display two white stomatal bands underneath. Shoots are reddish-brown, pubescent and slightly twisted. Orange-brown bark, often with some fissuring, appears on mature trees. Small, oval, nearly sessile, seed cones (to 1" long) mature to dark brown.
Genus name of Tsuga is derived from the Japanese name for trees in this genus.
Specific epithet means diversely leaved.
Problems
A healthy plant in the proper environment has few problems. Potential disease problems for plants in the genus Tusga include needle blight (needles turn yellow and die), canker, rusts and rots. Potential insect problems include bagworms, borers, leaf miner, saw fly and spider mites. This species is resistant to hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). Foliage may scorch in very hot weather.
Uses
Excellent evergreen for shady areas of the landscape.