Western Hemlock
Tsuga heterophylla
ConiferAbout Western Hemlock
Western Hemlock is a large, shade-tolerant conifer and the state tree of Washington. It is one of the most important timber trees in the Pacific Northwest, producing fine-grained lumber. In old-growth forests, it often grows as an understory tree beneath Douglas Fir, eventually replacing it as the climax species.
Quick Facts
How to Identify Western Hemlock
- Short, flat needles of varying lengths arranged in flat sprays
- Small, oval cones about 1 inch long hanging from branch tips
- Reddish-brown, deeply furrowed bark on mature trees
- Graceful, drooping terminal leader (tip of the tree nods over)
- Dense, narrowly pyramidal form
Care Guide
- Keep soil consistently moist; hemlocks do not tolerate drought
- Mulch generously to maintain cool, moist root conditions
- Prune in late winter if shaping is desired; responds well to shearing
- Generally pest-free in its native range
- Best suited for maritime climates with cool, humid summers
Known Issues (1)
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