Western Hemlock Cone

Types of Pine Cones Douglas Fir Giant Sequoia Incense Cedar Knobcone Pine Ponderosa Pine Western Redcedar White Pine Types of Pine Cones

Hemlocks are a genus of trees (Tsuga) in the pine tree family, with five different species found on the East and West Coasts.

Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), the tallest growing species, grows hardily, up to two hundred feet in heigth, in its moisture rich Pacific Northwest coastal environment (and some areas of the Rocky Mountains).

Like the Giant Sequoia, the Western Hemlock shows that big is not always better in the cone business. The top picture shows a cone, measuring around one inch, enlarged by a factor of three. The small, soft needles, have white stripes on the back.

The Western Hemlock is the state tree of Washington State.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels