Also known as Western, Pacific, or Lowland Hemlock. | ||
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cones |
seeds |
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needles |
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General
Description:
A tall, slender tree 50-60 m high, with a narrow pyramidal crown (terminal leader
droops, forming an arc) and a trunk
diameter 1-2.5 m; bark thick, deeply divide into broad, flat ridges; leaves
2-ranked, 6-20 mm long, with 2 light colored bands of stomata beneath; cones
purple, ovoid; scales obovate; seeds about 3 mm long, their wings 2-3 times
as long. Moist soil, W, Mont. to Alaska, across N. Idaho to Calif.
Distribution:
Along coastlines from Alaska to northern California and a somewhat separate
distribution in southeastern British Columbia, northern Idaho and northwestern
Montana.
Habitat:
Western Hemlock tolerates and reproduces in deep shade where it is moist, such
as in Northern Idaho and coastal regions, thus from sea level to 7,400 feet
elevation. Associate species are Mountain Hemlock, Western White Pine, Douglas
Fir, Silver Fir, Coastal Redwood, and Sitka Spruce. Common enemies are Hemlock
Dwarf Mistletoe, snow and wind, the latter knock over the shallow rooted trees.
Other:
Birds and rodents eat the seeds and rabbits, beaver, and deer browse on seedlings,
saplings, and even large trees. The lightweight wood is hard, tough and is used
for building, construction and pulp. The bark was used by native Americans for
tanning leather.