Tsuga chinensis aka Chinese Hemlock

Tsuga chinensis, or Chinese hemlock, is an evergreen conifer. It belongs to the pine family, Pinaceae. Its native range covers China and Taiwan in temperate Asia. It grows in mountain forests, valleys, and river basins. Some stands grow on steep cliffs. Sources place its habitat between 3,280 and 11,480 feet [1,000–3,500 metres]. Gardeners grow it as a shade tree or specimen.

This large tree forms a pyramidal crown with fine foliage. The ends of its branches droop. Reported heights reach 148–165 feet [45–50 metres]. The evidence gives no separate range for mature garden trees. Slender twigs bend easily and bear fine hairs. Their colour ranges from yellow to grey-brown. Young bark is brown to black, with shallow scales. Older bark forms flat ridges over dark red inner bark. Purple streaks mark the inner bark.

The flat needles stay on the tree throughout the year. They reach about one inch long and have rounded tips. Their upper sides range from yellow-green to dark green. Two grey-green bands mark each needle beneath. Each tree bears both male and female cones. Small yellow male cones sit on the previous year's growth. Tiny purple female cones form at shoot tips. Bloom falls in March and April, and wind carries pollen. The hanging seed cones turn reddish-brown and become woody. They are egg-shaped, with thin scales that overlap. Seeds ripen from October to November.

Deep soil with good drainage suits this tree best. PFAF favours moist soil, while Chicago lists dry soil. It accepts sand, loam, and clay across several pH levels. Young trees tolerate deep shade; older trees need more sun. Dry, exposed sites can produce thin, weak growth. PFAF reports slow growth in much of Britain. It also notes a need for hot, humid summers. Chicago lists the species for USDA zones 6–8. Woodland planting suits it; hedge performance in Britain can be poor.

PFAF lists inner bark and young shoots as edible parts. Ground inner bark can thicken soup or supplement bread flour. Young shoot tips can make tea. The source also records traditional medicinal uses of bark and twigs. These reports do not establish that such treatments work. It reports no known hazards, but gives no pest or disease details.