At the moment experience with Tsuga heterophylla outside of the natural area is too scarce to give a well-grounded evaluation of its growth and ecological behaviour in landscapes within central Europe. Plantings close to general forestry praxis are present occasionally (with Thuringia as an example here) and give evidence for it being a highly productive, vitally regenerating species, which has persisted in the native forests for decades. Yet, a large scaled, systematic analysis of such plantings has not taken place yet, also considering the circumstances of an ongoing climatic change. In the presented case studies, the natural regeneration of T. heterophylla is very dense close to the parental trees (10.000-40.000 n ha-1). Also the wind dispersal of seeds over large distance, which is known from the area of origin, could be confirmed in the populations in Thuringia (mean 110m, max. 866 m). Within the frame of the heterogeneity of forest site variables found within the exanimated forest stand "Kranichfeld", the deviated requirements for the regeneration of T. heterophylla are e. g. (1) low for the soil nutrient availability (2) high for the soil water balance. Also, (3) a low thickness of humus layer increases germination and seedling establishment success, also outside of the native area. The potential for natural regeneration declines with increasing distance to seed source, especially considering distances higher than 250 m. Besides limitation in space, also soil water balance, thickness of the humus layer and the influence of radiation vote against the potential for an omnipresent, always dense regeneration, which gives regulation opportunities for the regeneration of T. heterophylla through forestry planning and management. Invasive behaviour is not deceivable from our case studies. These conclusions can only be made within the studied landscape and the tested mixed coniferous forest type. Experiences from different forest compositions as well as climate and soil gradients are still missing. Also effects of different provenience are not sufficiently studied for the cultivation of T. heterophylla outside of its vaste natural habitat. Here, more research is needed to determine its suitability regarding resistance to wind, climate and water demand as well as pathogens.