penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
We certainly have it here. Some years back it was killing trees. No I don't see it killing but I do see it detracting from vigor. I use Safari and my plants of concern are free of pests.
Hemlock questions.
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Leo in N E Illinois
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LOL, you only asked the question yesterday. contrary to appearances, I do have a life beyond BNut. I simply was busy elsewhere. At some point, I have to "back away from the keyboard, and stop correcting everyone who is wrong on the internet". The phrase in quotes is the punch line to a cartoon I saw years ago, but one I try to keep in mind when trying to keep a balance between various aspects of life. Too much screen time is not healthy. My ass is big enough as is, I need to get out and get some exercise.
But I would be happy to answer your question today.
First, I am not a hemlock expert. Frankly I don't know who would be an expert in cultivation of Tsuga canadensis. I do not know how well timing patterns for mountain hemlock, Tsuga mertensiana, would apply to Tsuga canadensis. I would definitely read Michael Hagedorn's blog, and Jonas Dupuich 's blog and browse Mirai's archive to glean what I could about Tsuga mertensiana, but I am not certain that information is really relevant for Tsuga canadensis. Now I do have a young 5 tree hemlock forest living in an Anderson flat and a larger hemlock in a 10 gallon nursery pot. Both have been in my possession for more than 5 years, but I have not done much with either of them, they are "on the back burner" projects I keep meaning to get to, but just don't have the time. (because I spend too much time typing about bonsai on BNut, and not enough time actually DOING bonsai in my own back yard).
IF one was planning on digging up a hemlock in spring, I would do ZERO pruning before hand. The hemlock will need actively growing apical tips of branches to provide the auxins and other signals to get the root system to regenerate a new root system. So, if you are planning to DIG, or REPOT with major root work, NO PRUNING, for at least 6 months prior to the root work. Note, this is what I actually do with spruce, Picea. Seems to serve them well.
The hemlock needs the growing tips of foliage to fuel regeneration of roots. Hemlock do not "bounce back" from root disturbance with the ease that an elm or maple would. Hemlock need intact foliage to push root recovery and growth.
I would normally prune hemlock once in early summer, and once again in late summer, immediately before the autumnal equinox, or within a week or two after the equinox. This second pruning is late enough in the summer that the hemlock will not be likely to push new growth, but early enough that dormant buds will be "activated" so that when spring comes they will be ready to grow. I would do my wiring about the same time as pruning, in the late summer, early autumn. Both pruning & wiring, can be done the same day.
@Javaman4373
Because hemlock to not back bud on wood once it has developed bark. Your options for using this tree is limited. Can you, in your mind's eye, you can see a bonsai, a large bonsai, using pretty much the entire tree as is when dug from the ground? If yes, then you could dig this tree. You would need to be using almost all of the older branches that are there. The size of the tree would have to include significant green on every one of the branches you keep. I am bad at judging size from photographs, but this tree would likely make a 2 man size bonsai. A tree too heavy for one person to lift by themselves. Attempting to create a bonsai smaller than using the whole tree, would require learning to graft branches, and significant development time to get the grafted branches large enough to look natural.
At my age, too old and fat to lug around trees weighing over 75 pounds, I would just consider moving the tree in spring to a different spot in the landscape and put in a rock feature that ice from the roof will not destroy. But when you move it, consider whether it might be small enough to use as bonsai or not. But you will have to use most of what is there, as you can not get hemlock to back bud on old wood.
Leo in N E Illinois
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Come to think of it, our Canadian members, I'm pretty sure some of them have much more experience with Tsuga canadensis that most of the USA members. @AnthonyB or @Bonsai Nut , who should we tag from TBS who might be experienced with Tsuga canadensis?
ABCarve
Masterpiece
You might want to read this. post #24 -28 for collecting. https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/small-eastern-hemlock-development.22756/page-2
Javaman4373
Shohin
Leo, I see the wisdom in your post and I concur that perhaps this hemlock is too big for me to pursue as a bonsai project. I will have to decide whether to transplant it to a new location or build a bigger structure to protect it in the winter. A bit of work either way. The same reasoning applies to the huge yew I posted in another thread. I think I will style that in place in the ground and see how that goes. I have other more manageable pre-bonsai projects in progress and one is fairly large and will be my only large one. It is a swamp azalea that I am going to lift next spring.
Japonicus
Imperial Masterpiece
This is basically WHY I asked the question I did. I have no hemlock I plan to lift any years soon.
You have one suggesting to prune a lot now, which goes against what is generally observed for most conifers on this forum,
and you have this reply by Leo in total contrast. I could've replied with the same notion, but have only begun this year
with keeping any tsuga, so I couldn't really speak from experience with the species in relation to lifting.
As I said, my mind wandered to other conifers we build up steam the year prior to heavy root work
and that does not consist of subtracting foliage that gathers energy.
The foundation is helpful on 1 maybe 2 sides for lifting, but the reach of the foliage may hinder getting in there with a spade,
so obviously some reduction should not be dismissed in those tight locations, else a broken branch or more may result.
That's more than sufficient, and not required nor expected, it is entirely too easy to miss a post, especially for those of us who have lives to carry on aside from here.
Sorry if it appeared impatient, just a friendly bump before one carried out heavy pruning at an inopportune timing.
I too would want to leave as much foliage on prior to a lift as possible, regardless of which cultivar of tsuga I was dealing with.
Forsoothe!
Imperial Masterpiece
I'm going to go out on a limb here and state categorically that it is better to do all the hard reduction on a collection from a landscape the year (fall) prior to lifting because it's been there a hundred years and it's going to lose ability to grow regardless of whatever else happens. Period.
Add to that, the fact that any hard cutting forces a response to replace whatever is removed, to the best of the ability of how many ever roots remain, and you want that to happen sooner rather than later. There is no downside verses lots and lots of upside to doing this work in stages, especially as outlined. There are lots of downsides to putting off the preliminaries until lifting or after lifting, and absolutely no advantages other than it being easier to do some of the work on a bench.
I would only add that I should have also suggested heavy ferts this autumn to spike growth between now and whenever.
Add to that, the fact that any hard cutting forces a response to replace whatever is removed, to the best of the ability of how many ever roots remain, and you want that to happen sooner rather than later. There is no downside verses lots and lots of upside to doing this work in stages, especially as outlined. There are lots of downsides to putting off the preliminaries until lifting or after lifting, and absolutely no advantages other than it being easier to do some of the work on a bench.
I would only add that I should have also suggested heavy ferts this autumn to spike growth between now and whenever.
ABCarve
Masterpiece
I was visiting my mother this weekend and thought I'd take some photos of her Coles prostate. It's bigger than I remember!! It is on the decline though....not sure why.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
I don't see how that can possibly be a Cole's prostrate unless the dog is 6 inches long. Pretty sure is a Sargent's.
ABCarve
Masterpiece
Possible!!
