Chinese Hemlock (Tsuga chinensis)

Family: Pinaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Tsuga chinensis is an evergreen Tree growing to 45 m (147ft 8in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Bark/Inner Bark

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Inner bark - raw or dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread. A herbal tea is made from the young shoot tips. These tips are also an ingredient of 'spruce beer'. — Inner bark - raw or dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread.; A herbal tea is made from the young shoot tips.; These tips are also an ingredient of 'spruce beer'.

Habitat & North American Range

Forests, especially on steep cliffs, 2300 - 3000 metres. Mountains, mixed forests, valleys and river basins at elevations of 1000 - 3500 metres. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)