Here are some young Eastern Hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) that I collected with the intent to create a forest a few years from now. They were collected in a private wood with the consent of the land owner.
This grove is very special because it has very old specimens as well as plenty of Hemlock saplings. A real Hemlock nursery !
A mature tree.
A Hemlock nursery. A magical place.
Foliage detail.
repotting
The trees are repotted in training pots. Most of the root ball is left intact and draining substrate is added only on the sides and underneath.
Some pots contain up to four trunks.
The soil is covered with the moss from the forest of origin.
Close-up of the spore bags or sporophytes emerging.
what’s next
I will grow these Hemlocks a few years to ramify the branches closer to the trunks. In spring 2023 or 2024, I will assemble the forest. My inspiration will partly come from John Naka’s Goshin. The forest will bring a feeling of calm and humility.
the extras
I saved this small Red Maple that will make a beautiful bunjin.
I also saved a few Firs. I will decide later if they will be part of the composition of if the forest will be a pure Hemlock plantation.
