A: Hemlocks do best with slow-release fertilizers like
cottonseed meal or composted chicken manure
. For cottonseed meal (6-2-1 analysis), spread eight pounds per 100 sq. ft. over the root zone of the trees.
How do you take care of a hemlock tree?
They need acidic soils that stay moist, but not wet, and frequent waterings. Like willows, hemlocks are riverbank trees, so if your site is elevated and dry, you may need to add a thick ring of mulch over your tree’s root zone and consider installing a
drip irrigation system
to keep your tree looking its best.
How do you care for hemlocks?
The hemlocks generally require
well drained, cool, acid soils
. Uniformly moist soil conditions are important. This is best achieved with mulches in most landscape situations. Hemlocks do not thrive under hot, dry conditions.
What time of year should hemlocks be pruned?
A: Hemlocks tolerate trimming and shearing better than most evergreens. The ideal time is
the end of winter, just before new growth begins
. You could trim in winter, but the more you cut, the barer it’ll look for a longer period of time until new growth resumes again in spring to fill in.
How do you fertilize hemlocks?
Fertilizing – Feed young Hemlocks once a year in the fall. After they have been planted a year,
sprinkle an all-purpose slow acting granular fertilizer on the soil under the tree out
to 1 or 11⁄2 feet beyond the tips of the branches (the drip line). Do not allow the fertilizer to touch the tree trunk.
What part of a hemlock tree is poisonous?
The leaves
are particularly poisonous in the spring, up until it produces flowers. The roots of poison hemlock can easily be mistaken for wild parsnips, while the leaves can be mistaken for parsley. This is the primary culprit for accidental poisoning.
Do hemlocks need sun?
Hemlocks do not thrive under hot, dry conditions. They grow well in partial shade and will tolerate full shade. Hemlocks also
grow well in full sun if their soil requirements are met
. They will not withstand air pollution and are susceptible to salt damage.
How much sun does a hemlock need?
This tree needs a minimum of
6–8 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day
.
What do you know about the hemlock tree?
A true hemlock is a
tall pyramidal tree with purplish or reddish brown bark
, slender horizontal or drooping branches, and short blunt leaves that grow from woody cushionlike structures on the twigs. The small cones hang from the branch tips and retain their scales when they fall.
Do hemlock trees have deep roots?
Though the various species of hemlock have a number of different root system types, the two most common are taproot and fibrous roots. … The
taproot digs deep
and is thicker than the small roots surrounding it. These small roots branch laterally in the soil. Small roots also grow directly from the taproot.
Will hemlocks grow back?
Hemlocks will sprout vigorous new growth once trimmed
and pruning during the active growth period may prevent the tree from going dormant when it needs to. However, any damage should be removed from the tree immediately, regardless of whether the tree is dormant or not.
Can you top hemlocks?
Larry, hemlocks
will tolerate light shearing, or
“topping”. You should wait a few months before doing this to be sure the trees are “dormant”. If you cut them now, you may get a new flush of growth which will be susceptible to frost or freeze damage.
Do hemlocks need a lot of water?
Hemlock trees
require a fair amount of water
. … This tree does not tolerate standing wet soil nor prolonged periods of drought. The best method of watering is slow watering once a week. Start the watering process with a general spray of the trunk and leaves.
Why do hemlocks turn yellow?
Needle Blight, Rusts and Fungi
Needle blight of hemlock, caused by the fungus Fabrella tsugae, causes
yellowing in needles
. Needles turn brown as they age and drop prematurely. If a tree is infected several years in a row, it may suffer from extensive needle shedding.
What kind of fertilizer do evergreen trees need?
Amount of Fertilizer
In general, evergreens need
2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of soil surface every two to four years
to maintain growth. Mature or slow-growing evergreens require about 1 pound of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet of soil surface every two to four years.
