Western Hemlock - Tsuga heterophylla

The Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) is one of the most important and common conifers in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a medium to large evergreen that averages 30m – 50m at maturity, with a narrow, dropping crown and long, graceful branches. Its dark, furrowed bark and soft, glossy needles – dark on top and pale underneath – make it easy to recognize. The small cones, less than an inch long, start out greenish or red-purple and turn brown as they age. These trees prefer moist but well-drained soil and are generally hardy, though they can host Dwarf Mistletoe or experience  periodic Western Hemlock Looper Moth outbreaks, which typically last a few years.

Western Hemlocks thrive in the damp forests of coastal BC, often sprouting from fallen logs or decaying stumps known as nurse logs. They’re shade tolerant and slow-growing, sometimes taking centuries to reach full size. The oldest known Western Hemlock, found in the Caren Range of BC, is estimated to be around 1,200 years old – a testament to the species’ resilience and ability to endure in shaded understories and high-elevation forests.

These trees also play a big role in local ecosystems. Birds like chickadees and crossbills feed on the seeds, while Douglas squirrels, porcupines, and other mammals nibble the bark. Deer and elk eat the twigs, and along the BC coast, Hemlock branches are even used to collect herring spawn due to their flexibility.

Long-lived, adaptable, and ecologically vital, the Western Hemlock in a defining species of the Pacific Northwest’s coastal rainforests.