Western hemlock

The Western Hemlock can grow up to 70 meters tall, and the trunk diameter can reach up to 2.7 meters. It is the state tree of Washington. Out of the species of hemlock, it is unquestionably the largest, and the lifespan is equally impressive, up to 500 years. The normal lifespan, however, is between 80 to 100 years for this type of tree. The Western Hemlock is a large type of evergreen that thrives in coastal regions because of the need for a lot of water. It cannot survive in dry conditions where water is scarce. This type of tree is important for various reasons which include pulp and lumber, for constructing flooring, interior finishing, plywood, etc. It is an ideal type of lumber for various applications. These trees are also an important food source for deer and elk.

Anatomy
The Western Hemlock has a narrow crown with droopy new growth at the top. The branches are feathery in texture, down sweeping the branches due to the weight. The cones are small and numerous, turning brown through time. The cones hang from the end of the branches, and are initially greenish in color. The needles are usually flat, glossy, and spaced along twigs. The feathery look mentioned earlier are due to two lengths of needles with the shorter standing upright on the top of twigs. The bark is rough, scaly, and reddish or brown. The texture is grooved through time.

Reproduction
The Western Hemlock regenerate through seedlings that can be found near the base of elder trees. They can also be found on stumps or rotting logs where 3-5 cm tall seedlings can be observed to be about 1 year old. The initial growth of these trees is slow, but once they firmly take root, saplings can average a growth rate anywhere between 50-120 cm per year until they are meters tall. For such growth to take place, there must be adequate rainfall and good soil or compound for the roots to take hold.

Ecology
The Western Hemlock can be found in a variety of locations such as the coast of British Columbia, the interior belt west of the Rockies, and other parts of sea to mid elevations of coastlines. They flourish in shady areas with moist soil or decomposing wood of fallen trees. Unfortunately, the shallow roots that these trees are known for make them susceptible to blowing over due to high winds.

Related References

 * http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/forest/westhem.htm information for western hemlock
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_hemlock wikipedia western hemlock
 * http://www.domtar.com/arbre/english/p_proue.htm picture of information for western hemlock