Pacific hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla, Silva N. Amer. 12: 78 (1898))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: (Raf.) Sarg.

Bibliography: Silva N. Amer. 12: 78 (1898)

Year: 1898

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Tsuga

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Alaska to N. California

Description

Pacific hemlock, scientifically known as Tsuga heterophylla, is a remarkable conifer tree native to the Pacific coast of North America. It stands as a prominent member of the Pinaceae family, distinguished by its vital ecological role and unique characteristics. This species can be traced from Southern Alaska down to Northern California, painting a green tapestry along the coastlines of these regions.

The Pacific hemlock thrives in temperate rainforests, where the climate is cool and moist. It boasts a slender trunk clothed in scaly, reddish-brown bark, and its branches support a dense network of short, needle-like leaves. These needles are identified by their shiny, dark green tops and pale, stomata-lined undersides. They are soft to the touch, a trait that sets this hemlock apart from many other coniferous trees that commonly have more rigid foliage.

Tsuga heterophylla can reach impressive heights, often growing between 30 and 50 meters. In exceptional circumstances, old-growth specimens may soar even higher, reinforcing their status in the ecosystem. These giants of the forest are not just towering in stature but also serve as a critical habitat for diverse wildlife, including bird species that depend on its canopy for nesting.

The reproductive cycle of the Pacific hemlock includes the production of small, ovoid cones that hang down from the branches. These cones release seeds that contribute to the perpetuation of the species across its native range. The lifecycle of these trees is a long one, with some individuals living for several centuries, thus supporting long-term ecological stability in their environment.

Historically, Pacific hemlock has played an important role for native peoples and in commercial industries. Indigenous communities have utilized its wood and bark for various purposes, while the lumber industry prizes it for its high-quality timber, which is used in construction, paper production, and other applications due to its durability and workability.

Conservation efforts have brought attention to the importance of maintaining the health and biodiversity of forests where Pacific hemlock is found. Sustainable forestry practices and the protection of these natural habitats are crucial to ensure that Tsuga heterophylla continues to be a resilient and enduring part of the Pacific coastal forests.

In summary, the Pacific hemlock is a keystone species in the west coast forests of North America, embodying both ecological and economical significance. From its towering presence to its delicate needles, Tsuga heterophylla is a testament to the rich biodiversity of the regions it calls home and continues to be a subject of admiration and study within the realms of botany and conservation.

Common Names

Eng: british columbia hemlock, hemlock spruce, pacific hemlock, west coast hemlock, western hemlock-spruce, western hemlock
Nor: hagestikle, kjempebjønnkjeks, kæmpe-mandstro, sagkjeks, vestamerikansk hemlock
Dan: have-mandstro, kæmpe-bjørneklo, seglblad, skarntydegran, vestamerikansk hemlok
Deu: kalifornische hemlocktanne, schierlingstanne, westamerikanische hemlocktanne, westliche hemlocktanne
Fin: kaukasianjättiputki, sinipiikkiputki, sirppiputki
Hun: nyugati hemlokfenyo
Swe: ryskmartorn, silvermartorn, skärblad, tromsölöka, jättehemlock
Fra: tsuga de californie, tsuga de l’ouest, pruche de l’ouest, pruche occidentale, hemlock de l’ouest
Ita: tsuga del pacifico, tsuga di california, tsuga occidentale, tsuga eterofilla
Nld: westerse hemlockspar, westelijke hemlockspar
Nob: vestamerikansk hemlokk
Nno: vestamerikansk hemlokk
Rus: тсуга разнолистная (tsuga raznolistnaya)
Zho: 异叶铁杉 (yi ye tie shan)
Cym: hemlog y gorllewin, sbriws-hemlog y gorllewin, sbriwsen-hemlog y gorllewin
En: Pacific hemlock, Western hemlock, Western hemlock-spruce, British Columbia hemlock, Hemlock spruce, West Coast hemlock, Common Hemlock
Ar: أتسوغة متباينة الأوراق
Zh: 美國西部鐵杉, 西部铁杉, 异叶铁杉 (yi ye tie shan)
Cs: Jedlovec západní
Da: Nordvestamerikansk Tsuga, Have-Mandstro, Kæmpe-Bjørneklo, Seglblad, Skarntydegran, Vestamerikansk hemlok
Nl: West-Amerikaanse hemlockspar, Westelijke hemlockspar, Westerse hemlockspar
Eo: Okcidenta cugo
Et: Läänetsuuga
Fi: Lännenhemlokki, Kaukasianjättiputki, Sinipiikkiputki, Sirppiputki
Fr: Pruche de l’ouest, Tsuga de Californie, Tsuga de l’Ouest, Pruche occidentale, Hemlock de l’Ouest, Tsuga hétérophylle
De: Westamerikanische Hemlocktanne, Kalifornische Hemlocktanne, Schierlingstanne, Westliche Hemlocktanne, Hemlockstanne, Tsuga, Westamerikanische Hermlockstanne, Westliche Hemlock
He: צוגה מערבית
Hu: Váltótűs hemlokfenyő, Nyugati hemlokfenyo
Is: Marþöll
It: Tsuga eterofilla, Tsuga del Pacifico, Tsuga di California, Tsuga occidentale
Lt: Kaliforninė cūga
No: Vestamerikansk hemlokk, Hagestikle, Kjempebjønnkjeks, Kæmpe-Mandstro, Sagkjeks, Vestamerikansk hemlock
Nb: Vestamerikansk hemlokk
Nn: Vestamerikansk hemlokk
Fa: کاج شوکران غربی
Pl: Choina zachodnia
Ru: Тсуга западная, Тсуга разнолистная (tsuga raznolistnaya)
Sk: Jedľovec rôznolistý
Es: Tsuga heterofila, Tsuga del Oeste, Tsuga del Pacífico
Sv: Jättehemlock, Ryskmartorn, Silvermartorn, Skärblad, Tromsölöka
Zh-hant: 加州鐵杉
Tr: Batı sugası
Cy: Sbriwsen-hemlog y Gorllewin, Hemlog y Gorllewin, Sbriws-Hemlog y Gorllewin

Synonyms

• Abies albertiana (A.Murray bis)
• Tsuga albertiana ((A.Murray bis) Sénécl.)
• Tsuga heterophylla f. argenteovariegata ((C.K.Schneid.) Rehder)
• Abies bridgesii (Kellogg)
• Abies microphylla (Raf.)
• Tsuga heterophylla var. argenteovariegata (C.K.Schneid.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Montana (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Washington (native)
• Denmark (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Føroyar (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 2, 2020 by Pablo P (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Jeremiah C (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2020 by sananab (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2021 by peter scheiler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2017 by Mason Hoffman (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 9, 2020 by sananab (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2020 by sananab (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2020 by M. Ralph (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2022 by Guenther Weissbarth (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2022 by C Jackson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2020 by Sonja Pafford (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2019 by m m (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2020 by M. Ralph (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 23, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Sten Porse (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Lydie Dufeu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Lydie Dufeu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2022 by Dimitri f79 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2012 by EOL − Belinda Lo (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken May 1, 2022 by Anna G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Nov 30, 2019 by García- Echave Puente Cristina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2014 by Tela Botanica − null null (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2687210)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:260297-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.0

Ph minimum: 4.5