https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/208160386
Western Hemlock is known to be one of the most shade-tolerant tree species and is often overlooked when growing near Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir, or Western Redcedar (Van Pelt). It has been recorded as tall as seventy-eight meters (255.9ft) and having a 209 cm (6.8ft) diameter and though the trees do not represent much of the volume in an old-growth forest it does represent a substantial portion of the foliage which impacts the understory light exposure (Van Pelt). It can persist in dark forest understories for decades, without gaining much height due to the lack of sunlight, these suppressed trees often develop into umbrella shapes for capturing more light (Van Pelt). They do not prune themselves as often as Douglas Fir and their bark appearance belies their age even after several centuries of growth, but you can estimate that the tree is over 150 years old if it has large branches that exceed 10 cm in diameter (Van Pelt). The tree does not produce decay-resistant extractives in its heartwood and will usually die before reaching three hundred years of age in elevations less than 1,000ft because of fungal infections (Van Pelt).
The Western Hemlock is an important timber tree because it is used for making treated lumber which has the highest water and insect damage rating in construction (Bressette). This tree is also a principal source of paper products and cellulose fiber used to make other products. Deer and Elk have been known to eat the foliage and twigs (Bressette). Indigenous Peoples have used young trees and saplings to make poles and fish traps and the bark was used to make brown dye for painting and as a tanning agent for hides (Bressette).
I did not know that Western Hemlock could get so large or that they do not tend to survive long in lower elevations. I did notice when I was getting the lumber for building my above-ground home heating fuel tank shed that they do list the type of tree that the treated lumber came from, but I never really thought that would have influence if it was treated lumber. I also just noticed as I type this last sentence, that both of my sources chose titles for their works that are almost the same.
Works Cited
Van Pelt, Robert. “Western Hemlock (Tsuga Heterophylla).” Identifying Mature and Old Forests in Western Washington, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, 2005, www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/lm_hcp_west_oldgrowth_guide_wh_hires.pdf. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Bressette, Dana Kelley. “Western Hemlock, Tsuga Heterophylla.” Native Plants PNW: An Encyclopedia of the Cultural and Natural History of Northwest Native Plants, 3 Feb. 2014, nativeplantspnw.com/western-hemlock-tsuga-heterophylla/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
תגובות
Wow, that's quite fascinating about the Western Hemlock! It’s impressive how large they can grow, yet it’s a bit sad they don't usually last very long at lower elevations due to fungal issues. It's interesting how specific conditions can drastically affect a tree’s lifespan, isn’t it? And using the treated lumber from such trees for building projects like your fuel tank shed really shows how valuable these trees are beyond just the ecological aspect. It’s funny how we often overlook the origin of the materials we use every day. I had no idea they played such a crucial role in construction and even cultural uses like making dyes and fish traps. It really makes you appreciate the intricate connections between our daily lives and nature. I can't wait to go out and check these out this summer finally some free time to get lost in the woods again. ( and make it back during sunny conditions lol)
Hi Riz,
I had always just assumed as a kid that every tree had no age limit, that they all grew to the same heights and lived just as long from one to the next. Of course, I know better than that now, that there are many different varieties of tree and that the life spans are quite varied. I do also find it interesting that they are not expected to live long simply because they are at a lower elevation. It does make sense when you think about comparing elevation to intertidal zones in the ocean though.
Make sure you take a compass with you on your next hike and mark which direction you must go to get back to civilization. It should help keep you from getting so lost that you need a rescue.
Hi Daniel,
Your post had so much awesome information in it! I had no idea about the fungal infections and them having such an impact on the tree's lifespan. That makes sense, because I have seen them pretty rotten at lower elevations. I, too, had no idea that they were used so commonly as treated wood for construction projects. So much new information in your post! It is crazy to me that trees live for as long as they do. I took a course on the biology of Alaska and learning about the different life expectancies of the trees around Southeast blew my mind.
Elizabeth
Excellent job on MLA format, Daniel!
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