Western Hemlock
Common Name(s): Western Hemlock, Pacific Hemlock, West Coast Hemlock
Scientific Name: Tsuga heterophlla "Heterophylla" means variable leaves.
Plant Symbol: Tshe; TSHE
General Info: Large conifer 30-50 m (100-160 ft) tall; trunk to 75 cm diameter. Open pyramidal crown has a flexible and drooping terminal leader. Delicate feathery foliage on drooping branches. Largest hemlock native to US. In interior, obtains maximum age of 500 years.
Native/ Non-native: Native.
Ecology: Widespread and common, preferring acidic soils with thick mulch. Often sprouts in decaying logs and stumps. Very shade-tolerant, but not tolerant of drought.
Range: Western US and Canada: California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, Idaho, and Montana.
Bark: When young, bark is russet brown or grayish brown, somewhat scaly. As trees age, furrows develop separated by relatively thin flat ridges. Orange inner bark, sometimes streaked with purple.
Leaves: Needles are yellowish green and flat, blunt, in variable lengths. Arranged in flat, feathery sprays.
Cones: Elliptical 1 to 3 cm (1/2 in to 1 in) long. Purplish green when young, light brown when mature. Cones hang on short stalks which when they fall are intact. Scales are thin, with wavy edges.
Notes:
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A very attractive tree for landscaping.
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Wood is even grained and uniform in color. Used for doors, windows, staircases, moulding, and flooring.
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Moderately susceptible to fire.
Resources/ Links:
http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_tshe.pdf
Field Guide to Forest Plants of Northern Idaho (Patterson, Neiman, Tonn), 1985 USDA – Forest Service
Plants of Southern Interior British Colombia and the Inland Northwest (Parish, Coupe, Lloyd), 1996
Above: The Enchantment of old Western Hemlocks
Below: Young Western Hemlock
Below: Orange furrows in the bark
Needles of different lengths...
Photos by Wendy Aeschliman