Tsuga heterophylla - Common Bonsai,Conifer - Western Hemlock Page

Tsuga heterophylla, also known as the Western Hemlock, is a remarkable evergreen coniferous tree that can grow up to 200 feet tall and has a trunk diameter of up to 8.5 ft. Its crown is a perfect broad conic shape in young trees with drooping lead shoots, and cylindric in older trees with pendulous branchlet tips. The noticeable feature of this species of hemlock is its slender cylindrical 1 inch cones, which contains 15-25 thin, flexible scales. Tsuga heterophylla is native to the west coast of North America, growing well in cool summer temperatures and in a moist atmosphere, typically in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where it is well suited. It is best grown in gardens within native habitats and along the U.S. Pacific Coast, specifically in wetter regions, but it is also cultivated in temperate regions worldwide. Western Hemlock’s range is essential for Pacific Northwest forests where it is a climax species, alongside its associates at low altitudes from sea level to 600 meters. It is worth noting that Western Hemlock is closely associated with temperate rain forests, and it is a notable timber tree throughout the region. It is a favorite among Pacific yew and Pacific silver fir, which are both relatively shade-intolerant. Its leaves are mid to dark green above, and the underside has two distinctive white bands of stomata with only a narrow green midrib between the bands. The Western Hemlock's bark is a source of tannin for tanning and a source of edible cambium. The tree is also known for its uses in forestry, as it is used for making doors, furniture, and joinery, and it can also be used for paper production. Western Hemlock boughs are used to collect herring eggs during the spring spawn in southeast Alaska.