Dominant conifer of Pacific Northwest forests.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Tsuga heterophylla, the western hemlock or western hemlock-spruce, is a species of hemlock. It typically grows to 70 metres tall and is long-lived at high elevations. Native to the northwest coast of North America, it is a source of timber, tannin, and edible cambium.
Source: Wikipedia — Tsuga heterophylla Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Massive conifer with thin scaly bark; short flat needles in flat sprays; small downward-hanging cones.
Similar species. Eastern Hemlock (different range). True firs (upright cones).
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Dominant tree of Pacific Northwest old-growth coniferous forests. State tree of Washington.
§ Range
Pacific Northwest
§ Habitat
Pacific Northwest forests
§ Threats
Forest loss.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the western hemlock is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support Pacific Northwest forest conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Tsuga heterophylla
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Tsuga heterophylla
- iNaturalist · taxon 52078
- IUCN Red List — search for Tsuga heterophylla
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Tsuga heterophylla
§ Sources cited
- USDA Forest Service Silvics Manual
