Western Hemlock
Tsuga heterophylla
Learn about the Western Hemlock including when and why it was planted, how to identify it, and where to find it on campus.
Tree Facts
Family: Pinaceae
Type
Evergreen
WA native tree
Size
Large (greater than 50 feet)
Traits
- Drooping new growth on tree top
- Feathery needles that are dark green on top and whitish underneath
- Produces large amounts of small cones
Native Range
- Coastal western North America
Story of the Tree
The western hemlock was designated Washington's state tree in 1947. It is an iconic member of the western Cascade Forest.
Western hemlocks live for hundreds of years. Their thick foliage provides shade for smaller plants that grow underneath them. In their native habitats, these trees are used to receiving a lot of water, but they can fall over during windstorms due to their shallow roots.
