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Native alternative(s) for Tsuga sieboldii:
Tsuga canadensis Upright growth form of a mature tree.
Tsuga caroliniana Tsuga caroliniana
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Crataegus collina Form
Howea forsteriana Howea forsteriana
Smilax smallii Form (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall
Tsuga sieboldii has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Tsuga sieboldii

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
SOO-guh see-BOLD-ee-eye
Description

Southern Japanese Hemlock is a needled evergreen conifer from Japan that can grow up to 100 feet tall but usually reaches 50 feet in cultivation. The trunk can be up to 8 feet in diameter. It sometimes grows as a multi-trunked tree and is rather slow-growing. It is listed as near threatened in its native habitat.

Preference is for moist well-drained soils on the acid side in sun to partial shade. It can be grown as an ornamental tree or for screening and has been used in bonsai. 

Problems: Scales, mites, wooly adelgid, but less prone to these than T. caroliniana.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#specimen#cover plant#screening#Asian garden#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#specimen#cover plant#screening#Asian garden#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tsuga
    Species:
    sieboldii
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Wood used for lumber
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    Provides seeds for birds and wildlife cover
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Dense
    Oval
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Fruit Description:
    Sessile seed cones are borne on outer branches, green ripening to pale brown, to 1 inch long. Pollen cones are 0.1 to 0.2 inches reddish-brown, maturing yellow, crowded together
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The male flowers are very small at only 2 mm, globular in shape and cherry-red. The female flowers are slightly larger at 5 mm, purple in color and oval.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Loosely arranged alternate needles are flattened, grooved above, 0.3 to 0.5 inches long, widening gradually toward a notched tip and entire margins. Undersides have two white indistinct stomatal bands.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Scaly
    Bark Plate Shape:
    Square
    Bark Description:
    The bark is gray-brown to gray, rough and scaly forming quadrangular plates.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Braches a smooth and light brown, aging to gray. Buds are small and pointed.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Recreational Play Area
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds