4 Main Types of Pine Trees in Washington State
- 1. Lodgepole Pine (pinus contorta)
- 2. Ponderosa Pine (pinus ponderosa)
- 3. Western White Pine (pinus monticola)
- 4. Whitebark Pine (pinus albicaulis)
What are the most common trees in Washington State?
Common Tall Trees You'll See In Washington Forests Western Hemlock – Did you know that this is the State Tree of Washington? Douglas Fir – This popular evergreen tree can be identified by the yellow-green shade of its inch-long needles.
Do tamarack trees grow in Washington State?
You may have heard larch in Washington called tamarack, but that is actually the name for a different species that grows on the East Coast. Photo bu Craig Smith. I started with “Natural History of the Pacific Northwest Mountains” by Daniel Mathews and “Northwest Trees” by Stephen Arno and Ramona Hammerly.
What are facts about pine trees?
Interesting Facts About Pine Trees
- Characteristics of Pine Trees. Pine trees flourish in temperate and subtropical climates. ...
- Characteristics of Pine Leaves. ...
- Reproduction in Pine Trees. ...
- Roots of Pine trees. ...
- Uses of Pine Trees. ...
- Impact of Pine Trees on Climate Change. ...
- Questions & Answers. ...
- Comments. ...
How do you identify pine trees?
Pine trees can be identified by their needle-like leaves, seed-bearing cones, and reddish-brown or gray bark.Another identifying feature of pine trees is their egg-shaped cones that hang down from branches. Some types of pines can have large woody cones with scales that are long and straight.
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What pine trees are in the Pacific Northwest?
ConifersDouglas Fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii.Western Red Cedar, Thuja plicata.Western Hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla.Douglas Fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii.Western Hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla.Mountain Hemlock, Tsuga mertensiana.Sitka Spruce, Picea sitchensis.Engelmann Spruce, Picea engelmannii.More items...
What is the most common evergreen tree in Washington State?
Douglas FirDouglas Fir – This popular evergreen tree can be identified by the yellow-green shade of its inch-long needles. The cones of this tree grow to be fairly long, around four inches, and have pitchfork-shaped bracts covering up the seeds.
Are there ponderosa pines in Washington State?
Pacific ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa, var. ponderosa) is the variety typically found in Washington State. The needles are 5-10″ long, dark olive-to-yellowish green, and are usually bundled in fascicles of three, occasionally in fascicles of two.
What are the pine trees in Seattle?
Native conifer species found in Seattle include Douglas-fir, grand fir (Abies grandis), Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia), shore pine (Pinus contorta), western hemlock, western red cedar and western white pine (Pinus monticola).
What is the most popular tree in Washington?
Douglas Fir Douglas-fir, also known as red fir, yellow fir, and Oregon pine, is the most important tree in the West. It is also the most important lumber species in the United States, and is used for cross-ties, piling, plywood, fuel, and Christmas trees.
What tree is most common in the Pacific Northwest?
Our friendly guide to tree spotting will help you discover the 10 most common trees of the Pacific Northwest.Big Leaf Maple. This tree truly lives up to its name with huge leaves up to a foot wide. ... Douglas Fir. ... Hemlock. ... Western Red Cedar. ... Sitka Spruce. ... Alder. ... Cottonwood. ... Ash.More items...•
Why does ponderosa pine smell like vanilla?
Besides being lovely to behold, the bark of the ponderosa is also remarkable for its occasionally delectable scent. On warm days, a smell that has been likened to vanilla or butterscotch exudes from the cracks between slabs of bark on the tree, creating a unique type of Rocky Mountain aromatherapy.
Where do ponderosa pines grow in Washington state?
Eastern WashingtonPonderosa pine can grow in most areas of Eastern Washington, from rocky cliffs to along streams and rivers.
How do I identify a ponderosa pine?
Ponderosa Pines are easily recognized by their tall, straight, thick trunks, clad in scaled, rusty-orange bark that has split into big plates. One can easily identify some trees by smelling their bark. Ponderosa Pine bark smells like vanilla or butterscotch.
What is the most common tree in Seattle?
Native Seattle Tree SpeciesDouglas Fir. The Douglas Fir produces a durable and workable wood, making it a suitable candidate for construction projects. ... Western Red Cedar. Western Red Cedar trees have a strong but desirable scent. ... Big Leaf Maple. ... Red Alder. ... Western Hemlock.
How do I identify a pine tree?
0:242:47How to Identify Pine Trees - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf your tree has clusters it's a sure bet that it's a pine.MoreIf your tree has clusters it's a sure bet that it's a pine.
What is the main tree in Seattle?
Western Hemlock. Adopted as Washington's state tree in 1947, the Western Hemlock grows mostly within 60 miles of the Pacific coast and can live for centuries. Some Western Hemlocks are more than 1200 years old. The species grows well in shady areas.
What are the main trees in Washington?
There are approximately 25 native tree species in the state of Washington. Some of the more well-known species include the Western hemlock, Douglas fir, Western red cedar, Sitka spruce, red alder and ponderosa pine. The Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) is Washington's state tree.
How many evergreen trees are there in Washington State?
The approximately 25 evergreen species that grow in Washington state each have preferred growing conditions though some, such as the Douglas fir and Western red cedar, grow in all regions.
What kind of spruce grows in Washington State?
Sitka spruceOf the major tree species found in western Washington, Sitka spruce is the most restricted tree to low elevations. It can be found away from the coastal environment only along the floodplains of large, ocean-flowing rivers (Figure 61).
What are the most common trees in Seattle?
Seattle, with its moist, mild climate, is known for its diverse tree population....Below is Arborwell's list of the most visible types of trees in Seattle:Yoshino Cherry. ... Western Hemlock. ... Western Red Cedar. ... Japanese Maple. ... Douglas Fir. ... Japanese White Pine.
What type of pine trees are native to Washington?
In the state of Washington, native pine trees include the Western White pine (Pinus monticola), Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis), Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) and the Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta).
How big do white pine trees get?
The tree’s blue green needles grow in clusters of five up to four inches long. These big trees have a long and slender cone that can grow up to 15 inches in length..
What type of pine should I buy for privacy?
If you are considering buying evergreen trees for privacy screening, a pine such as a Pinus Flexilis “Cesarini Blue” or Vanderwolf Pine might be a good choice. Before choosing a tree, get advice from a big trees expert on the best trees to transplant for your location and soil.
How tall is a ponderosa pine?
The Ponderosa can reach heights of over 200 feet. Its dark yellow-green needles grow in clusters up to 11 inches long and its cones grow up to 6 inches long.
Where do lodgepole pines grow?
Lodgepole Pines inhabit mountain regions and coastal regions. The Lodgepole can grow as either a shrub or tree. Various subspecies are used in landscaping and gardens. The tree requires full sunlight for growth and does best in moist, well-drained sandy soils. Its needles grow in clusters up to 3 inches in length.
What pine trees grow in the mountains?
Whitebark Pine. Another five-needle pine, the whitebark, P. albicaulis, is one of the picturesquely twisted timberline trees that grow in the highest mountains. Unfortunately, though it will grow in lowland gardens, the contorted shape is lost. It will, however, make a good, slow growing bonsai specimen.
Where is the Yellow Pine native to?
Ponderosa Pine or Yellow Pine. Pinus ponderosa, a three-needle pine, is a tree for the driest parts of the Northwest, native to the eastern slopes of the Cascades, though it will succeed in western Washington if planted in gravelly soil.
What are white pine needles?
white pine needles image by Carbonbrain from Fotolia.com. Pines, trees in the genus Pinus, are definite assets in a garden, with furrowed bark, picturesque branches, woody cones and, usually, a fair amount of drought resistance. They can be distinguished from other conifers by having needles gathered into bundles of two, three or five.
What type of pine is a shore pine?
Shore Pine and Lodgepole Pine. This two-needle pine, P. contorta, comes in two varieties: the shore pine, an attractively asymmetrical tree often seen on the Washington coast, and the lodgepole pin e, a rigidly straight tree of the drier mountains that often sprouts and grows into large stands after fire. The shore form is the most useful as ...
Where is Pinus Ponderosa native to?
Pinus ponderosa, a three-needle pine, is a tree for the driest parts of the Northwest, native to the eastern slopes of the Cascades, though it will succeed in western Washington if planted in gravelly soil.
How big is a sage tree?
It is not for the small garden, reaching a size of up to 200 feet in the wild, but its reddish bark, long needles and craggy branches make it an excellent ornamental for a large property or park.
Where does limber pine grow?
Limber Pine. Pinus flexilis, the five-needle limber pine, grows in the dry mountains of eastern Washington, but will flourish with more rain in western areas. It is a smaller tree than the western white pine and slower growing, more suited to the average garden.
1. Ponderosa Pine
Ponderosa pines are large pine trees that are common in the Pacific Northwest. These pines can grow as tall as 200 feet and live as long as 500 years when they live in ideal conditions. Young ponderosa pines have dark, almost black bark, which lightens into a brownish color as they age.
2. Douglas Fir
Douglas fir is prized as a Christmas tree. Many people are familiar with this tree in its extremely adolescent form when they are chopped and sold as the popular Yule decoration. In the wild, Douglas firs can grow to enormous heights and live to be incredibly old.
3. Western Red Cedar
Western red cedars are remarkable trees. They are some of the oldest trees found anywhere in North America. The oldest specimen of these trees has been estimated to be 1,500 years old or older. The oldest trees are found in large wet forests in the lowlands near Washington’s coast.
4. Western Hemlock
The Western hemlock is the official state tree of Washington. They can be found in the wild as well as in the yards of native Washington residents. Western hemlock can grow to great sizes, including heights of over 200 feet and trunks thicker than 4 feet.
5. Sitka Spruce
Sitka spruce trees are massive evergreens named for a town in Alaska where they grow the thickest. These trees can grow as tall as 300 feet and have trunks that exceed 12 in diameter. Sitka spruce is extremely common in the wet coastal areas of the Pacific, stretching from Washington up through British Columbia and into Alaska.
6. Red Alder
Red alder trees are prized for their growing speed. Some people do not have the time or the patience to wait decades for a large tree to sprout and mature. Red alders are one of the fastest growing trees in the United States, and they can grow 3 to 5 feet per year for the first twenty years.
7. Pacific Yew
Pacific yew trees are extremely interesting. They are small, shrub-like, and sprout single seeds surrounded by a red construct that looks remarkably like a berry. These trees take an extremely long time to grow and often rot from the inside, creating hollow trunks.
What is the tallest pine tree?
The sugar pine is the tallest of the pine trees. Also called the sugar cone pine, this massive tree is the tallest species of pine in the world. Sugar pines also have the longest cones of any tree in the Pinaceae family. This pine species gets its common name from the sweet resin in the tree.
What type of pine has a bluish green bark?
Scots (Scotch) pines have bluish-green short needles. Scots (Scotch) pine trees are stunning evergreen conifers that have thick scaly brown bark, bluish-green needles, and small red to tan cones. Scots pines generally have a forked trunk that gives the medium-sized pine 2 flat masses of foliage.
How tall is a lambertiana pine tree?
Being the tallest of the pine trees, the subgenus lambertiana grows up to 270 ft. (82 m). However, their average size is between 130 and 195 ft. (40 – 60 m). Slender pine needles grow in bundles of 5 and can measure up to 4.14” (14 cm) long. The long woody dark brown cones can grow up to 20” (50 cm) long.
How tall do white pine trees grow?
Pine tree identification. Eastern white pines are a tall species and grow to up to 230 ft. (70 m). Their cones are long and slender growing to 6” (16 cm). The eastern white pine has pine leaves made up of clusters of 5 pine needles.
How big do pine trees get?
These majestic pines grow to between 100 and 110 ft. (30 – 35 m) and they have wide trunks up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) in diameter. Dark green needles are about 8” (20 cm) long and grow in bundles of three.
What is the most popular Christmas tree in North America?
The eastern white pine is a popular type of Christmas tree. The eastern white pine is one of the most important pine species in North America. These are fast-growing trees and one of the tallest species of pines. The pine needles grow in small clusters and have a bluish-green appearance.
What are pine trees?
Pines are resinous trees that are related to other types of conifers such as fir trees, cedars, and spruces. Different types of pine trees grow in many different environments that include cold regions in North America, rain forests, and hot sandy deserts.
What is the most common tree in Washington state?
Douglas Fir – This popular evergreen tree can be identified by the yellow-green shade of its inch-long needles. The cones of this tree grow to be fairly long, around four inches, and have pitchfork-shaped bracts covering up the seeds.
What kind of evergreens are in Washington state?
Evergreen trees that thrive in the moist climate of western Washington’s rain forest, coastal regions and lowlands include western hemlock, Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia).
What kind of pine trees are in the Pacific Northwest?
The Big Three–the most common in the Pacific Northwest: Douglas Fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii. Western Red Cedar, Thuja plicata. Western Hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla. Douglas Fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii. Western Hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla. Mountain Hemlock, Tsuga mertensiana. Sitka Spruce, Picea sitchensis.
Does white pine grow in Washington state?
Distribution: Western White Pine is native to southern British Columbia, western Washington, northern Idaho, western Montana, the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and the Sierras of California. Growth: They are fast growing when young and may grow 1½-2 feet (45-60cm) in a year.
What is the oldest tree in Washington state?
Age Nr Tree species Age 1 Thuja plicata (Western redcedar) 1571 ± 200 y 2 Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce) 921 ± 200 y 3 Pseudotsuga menziesii (Coast Douglas-fir) 501 ± 50 y 4 Abies grandis (Grand fir) 401 ± 50 y.
Where are the biggest trees in Washington state?
The Quinault Rain Forest and Lake Quinault are home to 6 of our 8 giant trees which makes for an easy day trip from Port Angeles, Washington. These trees are recognized by the National Forestry Association as the largest living trees of their kind.
What are the white trees in Washington?
In the state of Washington, native pine trees include the Western White pine (Pinus monticola), Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis), Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) and the Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta). The Western White Pine grows up to 160 feet and has pale brown, soft, finely grained wood.
What are the trees in the Pacific Northwest?
Washington’s forests are home to about 25 native tree species. All plants grow best when they live in the environment they are most suited for – cactus in the desert, grasses in the plains – tall, green firs and cedars prefer our cool, wet winters and moderate summers. When foresters practice sustainable forestry, many different types of trees grow throughout the four main forest regions during the sustainable forestry life cycle. Below are a few of the more popular tree species that you’ll find in our forests.
What is the Washington State tree?
Did you know Western Hemlock is the Washington State Tree?
How to tell if a sage tree has a cone?
Look For: Tiny, flat, sale-like needles that grow in alternating pairs, tightly pressed to the stem forming spray-like branches. Very small cones, under 1 inch long. Stringy bark that can be pulled off in long strips.
What is a small tree with a dark green needle?
Dark-green needles, 1 inch, with pointed ends. Fruit is a single seed surrounded by a scarlet, cup-shaped “berry.”. Thin, dark purplish, scaly bark. Small tree that lives in the shade of other trees. Scientific name: Taxus brevifolia.
Why is Douglas Fir so popular in Washington?
It grows so well in all of our forest regions, and because its wood is prized worldwide for its strength and durability , Douglas-fir is often the tree of choice for many Washington forest landowners. The tree’s intolerance of shade means Douglas-fir grows best in open sunlight.
What are ponderosa pine seeds good for?
Did you know Ponderosa Pine seeds are an extremely valuable food source for birds and squirrels?
What is Sitka spruce used for?
Did you know Sitka Spruce is used to make sounding boards in pianos and other musical instruments such as violins and guitars?
What is the best tree to grow in Oregon?
They’re shiny green and have pointed tips and serrated edges. Red alder trees also grow cones, but they’re only about one inch in length. 3. Douglas Fir. The Douglas fir may be the state tree of Oregon, but it’s native to Washington too! You’re likely familiar with it, as it’s a favorite tree for Christmas trees.
How big does a hemlock tree get in Washington State?
The western hemlock is the official tree of Washington State. It’s also the largest of the hemlock trees, so make sure your yard is large enough to home western hemlock before you commit to planting it. They can grow up to 200 feet tall and have a trunk with a width of up to four feet.
What color are the needles on a spruce tree?
These trees add a nice color to your yard, as their needles are yellow-green in color. They produce cones that can be up to four inches in length. The tops of the trees stand tall, and on more mature trees, the bark is deeply furrowed.
How tall do ponderosa pine trees grow?
Look no further than the ponderosa pine. These trees can grow about 90 to 150 feet tall. They also attract small animals, such as birds and squirrels, to your yard, as they’re a valuable food source for these types of animals. Ponderosa pine trees grow well in soil that is dry.
How big do Douglas Fir trees get?
They range in height and width, but they can grow as tall as 300 feet and as wide as 13 feet, but there are smaller varieties for you to choose from. These trees add a nice color to your yard, as their needles are yellow-green in color.
What color are a sage tree?
They are yellow-green in color and come in bundles of three. They grow cones that are about three to six inches long, and the cones are rounded with a sharp tip. For more mature trees, the bark is typically an orange-brown color with deep furrows and ridges that are scaly and flat. If you’re looking to plant trees native to Washington State in your ...
How tall do cedar trees get?
The tallest of these trees can reach up to 200 feet, but typically, they grow to about 120 to 150 feet tall.
