Western hemlock is an enormous evergreen tree with sprays of feathery, dark green needle foliage, pendulous small woody cones, and branches with drooping tips. To help identify Western hemlocks, look for flat needles of varying lengths attached individually to branches in a twisting arrangement.
How to identify a hemlock tree?
Quick Key to Identifying Hemlock 1 More Needle Characteristics. Needles have 2 white "racing stripes" on the underside. ... 2 Bark Characteristics. Conical to egg-shaped (more or less); fine branches give this tree a lacier appearance than spruce, fir or pine. 3 OTHER LOOKALIKES. ...
What is the scientific name of western hemlock?
Common Name (s): Western Hemlock Scientific Name: Tsuga heterophylla Distribution: Northwest coast of North America Tree Size: 165-200 ft (50-60 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
What is the difference between Eastern and western hemlock?
The Western hemlock is distinguished by its flattened needle leaves, 0.9” (2.3 cm) long cylindrical cones, and broadly pyramidal crown. Like the Eastern hemlock, the Western species has a drooping growth habit at the tips. Western hemlocks, like the Eastern hemlock species, are cold hardy to USDA zone 3.
What does poison hemlock look like the first year?
Don't forget that poison hemlock will stay low as a rosette in its first year, and the stem spots can be hard to see. In the second year, during flowering, poison hemlock has white flowers and purple spots along the stems. If you are unsure about a poison hemlock identification, contact your local Extension office for assistance.
How can you tell western hemlock?
The bark is dark brown to reddish-brown, becoming thick and strongly grooved with age. The needles are nearly flat, glossy and soft. They are yellow to dark green on the upper surface and whitish underneath. They are unequal in length and produce feathery flat sprays.
How can you tell the difference between western and eastern hemlock?
The foliage of the Western and Eastern Hemlocks is very similar, being rather Yew-like in appearance and having two white lines beneath. The critical difference that Eastern has a line of reversed leaves along the top of the branch so that the white undersides of the leaves are uppermost.
How do you identify hemlocks?
Poison-hemlock stems have reddish or purple spots and streaks, are not hairy, and are hollow. Leaves are bright green, fern-like, finely divided, toothed on edges and have a strong musty odor when crushed. Flowers are tiny, white and arranged in small, umbrella-shaped clusters on ends of branched stems.
How do you tell a western hemlock from a Douglas fir?
Needles have 2 white "racing stripes" on the underside. Fir needles have similar stripes. Conical to egg-shaped (more or less); fine branches give this tree a lacier appearance than spruce, fir or pine.
Is a western hemlock tree poisonous?
It is very toxic and sheep, cattle, swine, horses, and other domestic animals are poisoned by eating small amounts of green or dried plant. It is also extremely poisonous to humans. Poison-hemlock is sometimes confused with western water hemlock, a more deadly species, because the names are similar.
Is a western hemlock a pine tree?
The Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) is a large conifer in the pine family that grows between 165 and 230 ft. (50 – 70 m) tall. The Western hemlock is distinguished by its flattened needle leaves, 0.9” (2.3 cm) long cylindrical cones, and broadly pyramidal crown.
Are there different types of hemlock?
Eastern hemlockWestern hemlockMountain hemlockTsuga carolinianaTsuga sieboldiiTsuga chinensisHemlocks/Lower classifications
How can you tell the difference between a hemlock and a spruce?
Hemlock trees have needles uniquely attached to the stem. It is similar to the stalk-like woody projections of a spruce but much finer. Photo by Matt Suwak. Also, the needles of a hemlock are flattened.
How do you tell the difference between hemlock and balsam fir?
Twigs are alternate on Hemlock versus opposite on Fir. Bark – Hemlock bark is brown, cinnamon brown or even purple brown at maturity, vertically oriented in plates or furrows and similar to mature White Pine bark. Balsam Fir bark is grey, somewhat smooth often with raised blisters that when pressed will express resin.
How can you tell if wood is hemlock?
The heartwood of eastern hemlock is pale brown with a reddish hue. The sapwood is not distinctly different in coloration, but may appear lighter. The wood is coarse and uneven in texture.
Is a Douglas fir a hemlock?
Despite its common names, it is not a true fir (genus Abies), spruce (genus Picea), or pine (genus Pinus). It is also not a hemlock; the genus name Pseudotsuga means "false hemlock".
What is the difference between hem fir and Douglas fir?
You might find some hem-fir with a slight lavender cast, which gives it a natural appeal. The lumber is also fine-grained and even textured. It has quite a number of knots, rings, and springs. Significantly, Hem-fir is quite strong and its strength is only slightly below that of Doug-fir.
Are there different types of hemlock?
Eastern hemlockWestern hemlockMountain hemlockTsuga carolinianaTsuga sieboldiiTsuga chinensisHemlocks/Lower classifications
Is western hemlock good for firewood?
Hemlock makes a great firewood for campfires because it burns hot, it smells good and it crackles and pops, giving you the ideal campfire experience.
How can you tell if wood is hemlock?
The heartwood of eastern hemlock is pale brown with a reddish hue. The sapwood is not distinctly different in coloration, but may appear lighter. The wood is coarse and uneven in texture.
How do I know if I have mountain hemlock?
Mountain Hemlock – Tsuga mertensiana It is easily recognized by the leader at the top of the tree, which droops like western hemlock. Needles: Short and flat like western hemlock, but they stick out in all directions instead of lying flat, giving it the appearance of a worn-out bottle brush.
How to identify hemlock trees?
Identify hemlock trees by their needle leaves, cones, reddish-brown scaly bark, and drooping growth habit. The identifiable characteristic of hemlocks is their flat, glossy, green needle leaves with white stripes on one side. Also, look for small, egg-shaped cones with large, rounded brown scales hanging off branches.
What color is the bark of a hemlock tree?
A hemlock tree is identifiable by its smooth gray bark that becomes scaly and flakes off to reveal reddish-brow n inner bark. As hemlock trees mature, the bark becomes a characteristic dark brown with flat plates divided by thick ridges.
How tall is a Canadian hemlock?
Canadian hemlock grows between 40 and 70 ft. (12 – 21 m) tall. Eastern hemlocks are recognized by their broadly conical shape, straight trunk, and branches that droop at the tips.
What do hemlock cones look like?
Hemlock cones look like small oval, woody cylinders dangling from the branches. All conifers are identified by seed-producing cones. Hemlock cones are recognizable by their ovoid (egg shape) globular form. Cones on hemlock trees measure 0.6” to 1” (1.5 – 2.5 cm) and, like pine cones, hang pendulous from branches.
What are the leaves of a hemlock tree called?
Hemlock Tree Leaves (Needles) Hemlock leaves. Hemlock needle leaves are an identifying feature of trees in the genus Tsuga. The evergreen needle-like leaves are recognizable by their flat appearance and blunt, rounded tips.
How long are hemlock leaves?
Hemlock leaves vary in length on the branch. Typically, the needle leaves are 0.6” to 0.8” (1.5 – 2 cm) long. However, they can be as short as 0.2” (0.5 cm). Looking closely at pictures of hemlock leaves, you will spot fine serration on the needle margins, especially near the blunt tip.
How to tell if a hemlock tree is a pine tree?
Another way to tell hemlocks apart from pine trees is to look at the cones. Hemlock cones are smaller and have larger scales than pine tree cones. Additionally, hemlock tree cones are more rounded or globular than pine cones. Visually, there are a few identifying differences between pines and hemlocks.
What does hemlock smell like?
A tall, upright plant, hemlock can be distinguished by the distinctive and unpleasant, mousy smell of its foliage and its purple-spotted stems. Its leaves are finely divided and large, and its flowers are small and white and appear in umbrella-like clusters.
When do sage plants produce white flowers?
It produces umbels (umbrella-like clusters) of white flowers in June and July.
What is a fennel flower?
Fennel has feathery leaves and open, umbels of yellow flowers. It was probably introduced by the Romans for culinary use, and is now a…
What is Western Hemlock?
Pricing/Availability: Western Hemlock is one of the two primary commercial species of hemlock harvested in North America— with the other being Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Western Hemlock is used as construction lumber and is commonly grouped together with other species of fir and hemlock and sold under the more generic label “HEM-FIR.”.
What is the largest hemlock in the world?
Comments: Western Hemlock is the largest of the hemlocks, and is one of the most valuable sources of exportable lumber for Canada; the species is also the state tree of Washington. When compared to Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), Western Hemlock generally has narrower growth rings, though both species can have tightly spaced growth rings.
What is the color of heartwood?
Color/Appearance: Heartwood is light reddish brown. Sapwood may be slightly lighter in color but usually isn’t distinguished from the heartwood. Occasionally contains dark streaks caused by bark maggots.
Does Western Hemlock cause allergies?
Allergies/Toxicity: Western Hemlock has been reported to cause skin and respiratory irritation, as well as runny nose. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
What is the color of the flowers on a poison hemlock?
In the second year, during flowering, poison hemlock has white flowers and purple spots along the stems. If you are unsure about a poison hemlock identification, contact your local Extension office for assistance.
Where does poison hemlock grow?
Poison hemlock commonly grows along roadsides, at field edges, and in low-lying areas, near creeks and streams.
What is the name of the small cluster of leaves that grows along the ground?
During the first year, it germinates and grows as a rosette , a low cluster of leaves along the ground.
What color are the spots on a rose?
There are two key characters to look for. The first is red or purplish spots along the stem. At the rosette stage, the spots may be faint and difficult to see. At flowering, the purple spots along the stem can grow together to make the stem appear purple in color.
How tall is a sage plant?
The plant rarely reaches more than two feet in height.
Is poison hemlock poisonous?
Poison hemlock is commonly found along roadsides, fields, and wet areas. It is poisonous to humans and animals. This video will show you how to identify poison hemlock and its common lookalike, wild carrot or Queen Anne's lace.
How to tell if a water hemlock is bulbous?
Closely related to water hemlock not only by family, but genus as well, bulbous water hemlock can be distinguished by its much more feathery, linear leaflets, which are sparsely toothed. Upper leaves are smaller and simple, with small bulbs (bulblets) produced in their axils. This species is also poisonous.
What is the name of the water hemlock?
Do an image search on the Web for "Water Hemlock" or "Cicuta maculata". The latter name will give you the top results of what water hemlock looks like, and will help you understand what to look for when identifying this species.
What is the scientific name for a hemlock?
Cicuta douglasii is a synonymous scientific name to Cicuta maculata, as is the common name Spotted Water Hemlock.
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What color is the stem of C. maculata?
Look at the stems. Apart from what was already mentioned above, C. maculata typically has stems that are reddish-purple to purplish from the nodes. Some of this purplish colour extends down the stem or up from the base of the leaves. Stems also have a whitish film that can be rubbed off when touched.
What does cutting a cross section of a root reveal?
Cutting a cross-section of the root reveals that it's chambered and hollow.
Where is water hemlock native to?
Water hemlock is native to North America, and common in moist to wet areas. This includes shores, along streams, in marshy/swampy areas (bogs, sloughs, fens, riparian areas, etc.), and in wet ditches. Use the steps from above to be able to distinguish Water Hemlock from other similar species.
