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Home > Hemlock > Western Hemlock

Western Hemlock

Known for its durable timber, the western hemlock is a species of large conifers found in the western coastal regions of North America. It is the dominant climax species in the forests west of the Pacific Coast Ranges.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Division Pinophyta
Class Pinopsida
Order Pinales
Family Pinaceae
Genus Tsuga
Scientific Name Tsuga heterophylla

Western Hemlock Tree

Western Hemlock Pictures

Western Hemlock

Western Hemlock Bonsai

Quick Information

Other Names Western Hemlock-Spruce, Pacific Hemlock, Coast Hemlock, West Coast Hemlock
Size

Height: 50 to 70 m (165 to 230 ft); occasionally grows up to 83.34 m (273.42 ft)

Trunk diameter: Up to 2.7 m (9 ft)

Identification

Leaves (Needles): Short-stalked, finely toothed, flat, 5-20 mm long, irregularly spare

Cones: Ovoid, short-stalked, thin papery scales; greenish to reddish-purple turning brown with age

Bark: Smooth and reddish-brown when young; becomes darker, ridged and scaly upon maturity

Shape at Maturity Narrow crown, down-sweeping branches, drooping lead shoot
Tree Type Evergreen
Distribution/Range Alaska, California, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington (United States); Alberta, British Columbia (Canada)
Hardiness Zones 6
Growth Rate Initially slow; once established, seedlings can grow at a rate of more than 24 inches per year
Lifespan 400-500 years
Growing Conditions

Winter Conditions: Average winter temperatures range from -10.9° to 8.5° C

Summer Conditions: Average summer temperatures range from 11° to 20° C

Rain: 560-1730 mm per year (Rocky Mountains); 380-6650 mm per year (Alaska, British Columbia)

Sunlight: Tolerates shade

Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, acidic, light sandy, medium loamy

Diseases and Pests Dwarf mistletoe, Heterobasidionannosum, Phellinusweiri, Echinodontiumtinctorium, Rhizina undulate (root rot), Sirococcus strobilinus; western larch borer, weevil, and hemlock looper cause damage
Flowering/Fruiting Floweringbegins in April, continues until May-June; cones mature 4-5 months after pollination, seeds ripen in September
Breeding System Monoecious
Seed Production Good cone crops occur after 25-30 years of age
Seedling Development Germination is epigeal; seedlings are sensitive to cold, heat, drought, and wind
Wildlife Value Black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk feed on the leaves and twigs; black bear cut through the bark of pole-size trees; mountain beaver, brush rabbit, and snowshoe hare clip off branches and stems of seedlings
Uses For wood pulp, poles, railway ties, pilings, construction lumber; as specimen trees, hedging plants, and bonsai
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern

Washington State Tree

Tsuga Heterophylla

Western Hemlock Bark

Western Hemlock Leaf

Interesting Facts

  • In 1947, western hemlock was designated as the “Washington State Tree.”
  • Native people used hemlock bark as a tanning agent and cleansing solution, owing to its high tannin content.
  • Its inner bark was used by the Alaska Indians to produce coarse bread.

Western Hemlock Cones

Western Hemlock Lumber

References:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuga_heterophylla
  2. https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/treebook/westernhemlock.htm
  3. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_1/tsuga/heterophylla.htm
  4. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42435/2980087
  5. https://www.conifers.org/pi/Tsuga_heterophylla.php

Published on January 22nd 2017 by admin under Hemlock.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

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