Western hemlock

Tsuga heterophylla is an integral component of Pacific Northwest forests west of the Coast Ranges, where it is a climax species. It is also an important timber tree throughout the region, along with many of its large coniferous associates.

Western Hemlock is the state tree of Washington. Western Hemlock is cultivated in its native territories, where its best reliability is seen in wetter regions. In relatively dry areas, as at Victoria, British Columbia, it is exacting about soil conditions. It needs a high level of organic matter (well-rotted wood from an old log or stump is best; animal manures may have too much nitrogen and salt) in a moist, acidic soil. More

* Western Hemlock is also known as Pacific Hemlock, West Coast Hemlock * 'tsu-ga' is the Japanese word for "tree" and "mother". More