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Mountain Hemlock

Tsuga mertensiana

Mountain Hemlock

Quick Facts

Deciduous or Evergreen?

Deciduous

Avg Height'

Avg Diameter"

30

24

Rarity

Family

Pinaceae

Growing Zone

In Arboretum?

4 - 8

yes

Help

What's this?

This tree is a pillar within the (as the name might suggest) mountainous regions of Washington. An evergreen in the Pinaceae family, this tree remains green year round and provides important shelter for a variety of animals within its high elevation ecosystem. This species produces medium size cones with rounded edges. Hemlocks are a common choice for bonsai.

Image by Walter Siegmund, Wiki Creative Commons

Foliage

The Mountain Hemlock sports narrow green foliage that creates dense coverage across the entire tree. This species is evergreen, and the foliage remains green year round as a result.

Seeds or Cones

This tree produces cones, similar to other members of the pine family. Unlike related members, however, young cones are a deep purple instead of green.

All illustrations by A.S. Longman

Did you know?

Hemlocks are known to be some of the most shade tolerant trees in all of North America

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Information last fact checked by UW Botanic Garden in Spring 2024

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