most common trees in washington state

20 Common Types of Washington State Native Trees There are cold lonely mountain peaks that are constantly snowy and areas that are always mild and rarely ever see snow. Bigleaf maple is a great friction fire wood. If you spot a tree with gray bark peeling in long, tough, vertical curls along its trunk, its likely to be a shagbark hickory. Its a short-lived deciduous tree suited to cooler areas, as they dont tolerate heat and humidity well. The trees bark is thin, furrowed, and gray, while the crown is slender and conical in juvenile trees and more cylindrical in older ones. Fast-growing in youth, the spherical crown becomes rounded with age. The Red Alder is a fast-growing tree thats suited to coastal and lowland areas of WA. The Pacific Yew produces a scarlet red berry that is poisonous for humans, but chickens love to eat! 0000002096 00000 n The simple oval leaves of the tree also have fine hairs and conceal rather inconspicuous flowers. The young cones are red and turn purple-brown before theyre released. Some maple trees grow well in Washington State. The Western Red Cedar can live up to a remarkable 100 years and, during its long lifetime, can grow up to 70 meters in height and 7 meters in trunk diameter. Did you know Douglas-fir was names after David Douglas, a Scottish botanist? Western red cedar is also one of the most popular species of wood for use in all types of construction. 0000187740 00000 n The arils are eaten by birds who disperse the seeds, whilst the foliage is browsed by deer. Read More: 23 Types of Trees in New Jersey (with Pictures), Featured Image Credit: srikanta, Unsplash, Note: This articles statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website. The lacey, oval leaves of the honey locust tree are small enough to let a little sunlight through, which creates a beautiful dappled shade in the yards and gardens where its planted. If you want to learn more about the different types of fir trees and their identifying features you can read our post on those. They are medium-sized trees reaching 20 35 meters in height and 8 feet in trunk diameter. Plaza under a canopy of honey locust trees. 0000008946 00000 n Indigenous to the western coastal areas of North America, the Pacific Madrone is a broadleaf evergreen tree distributed across California to British Columbia. It can grow up to 30 feet tall and feature dark green leaves that are around three inches long. They are sensitive to wind and salt sea breezes. Fun Fact: The Wye Oak in Wye Mills, Maryland, was estimated to be over 450 years old when it finally fell in a thunderstorm in 2002. Other Common Names: Canadian Dogwood, and Mountain Dogwood, Average Size at Maturity: 15-40 ft tall and 10-25 ft wide, Flowering Season: Spring and occasionally fall. 0000002596 00000 n Itll grow in all soil types apart from clay. These trees can grow as tall as 300 feet and have trunks that exceed 12 in diameter. Native Madrone can grow up to 45 feet high and feature smooth, green bark that is divided into plates. Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) Image by Gertjan van Noord via Flickr The Western Hemlock is the official tree of the state of Washington. Another dead giveaway are the leaves, which resemble tulips when they emerge from their large, expanding pastel buds in the spring. Western Hemlock grows well in the sun or shade. 0000178830 00000 n The Vine Maple commonly grows in a forest understory and thrives in elevations from sea level up to 1500 meters. Copyright, Washington Forest Protection Association. 0000015073 00000 n with Washingtons long, wet falls, planting in late summer can help create stronger trees. These are practical, unoffensive choices. Bigleaf maple is one of our most common deciduous Pacific northwest trees in the forests of western Washington. Ponderosa pine also has many commercial uses, and it is a common wood found in construction. Some of the most common types include: Deodar cedars are tall, conical shaped evergreens that grow up to 50 feet in height. This article may contain affiliate links. Fun Fact:Swamp white oaks take their scientific or Latin name, Quercus bicolor, from their two-toned leaves, which are a shiny dark green above with a lighter green to whitish surface below that flashes in the wind. Washington has moderate summers, but it also has long, wet falls that extend into cool winters. Charitable Solicitation Disclosures Sitka spruce is extremely common in the wet coastal areas of the Pacific, stretching from Washington up through British Columbia and into Alaska. Other Common Names: White Spruce, Mountain Spruce, and Silver Spruce, Average Size at Maturity: 80-130 ft tall and 20-30 ft wide. The bark is orange/grey/brown, thin, and scaly. Can you identify the scientific name of these trees? As a part of the region known as the Pacific Northwest, Washington, along with Oregon and California, has a partly oceanic climate due to its border with the Pacific Ocean. Grows best in deep, moist, well-drained soils. {\y2_H4*sqL"Adg w1N5}; 0000011968 00000 n You have several types of evergreens to choose from: Fir trees grow naturally across the Pacific Northwest. 0000146607 00000 n These trees are short, bushy, squat, and grow extremely slowly. 8. Moreover, this tree has a very thick bark, making it one of the Pacific Northwests most fire-retardant trees. Trees reduce air temperatures by shading impervious surfaces, preventing them from heating up from the suns rays, and by transpiring water, cooling the air much as you feel cooler when sweat evaporates off your skin. Douglas Fir 1.3 3. While Paper Birch trees can grow for 100 years in cold climates, they do not handle heat and humidity well, making their average lifespan closer to 30 years. Many people are familiar with this tree in its extremely adolescent form when they are chopped and sold as the popular Yule decoration. The Red Alder features a vivid red inner bark underneath the grey outer layer, which is where the species gets its common name. These trees are recognized by the National Forestry Association as the largest living trees of their kind. Evergreens thrive in Washingtons moist climate and provide much-needed shade and shelter from the cold, wet winters. Common Tree Species - The Nature Conservancy The bark has a brownish, red/cinnamon color, and is fissured and scaly with a fibrous inner bark. The flowers have a stunning pink color and are actually double flowers, meaning they provide twice as much blossom and petals as other flowering cherry trees and appear in clusters of 3-5. The Western Red Cedar features a pyramidal form and a buttressed base when mature. Mobile Terms & Conditions Close-up view of top and underside of swamp white oak leaves. 0000076482 00000 n It can grow up to 100 feet high and feature bluish green, flexible needles that are around three inches long. Western Juniper (juniperus occidentalis), 11. 0000212401 00000 n 0000259973 00000 n Older trees can develop lovely drooping pendulous branches. Honey locust leaves sprout from a seedling. p9+`+yUc$,bgHw|Ar9+Y4b[;|_GYU'[5([/d"kE! wKU(v1f6YIo2Iw51`2clak"cKI/K$ *{lM}vB5-*}$+rv ; It can grow in clay, silty loams, and sand-based mediums. The Douglas Fir is hardy and can grow in a variety of soils. Washington State sits in the Pacific Northwest which is home to more evergreen trees than anywhere else in the United States thanks to the humid climate imparted by the nearby Pacific Ocean. Common shrubs include willow, red osier dogwood, snowberry, and mock orange. The Western Juniper grows in the mountains at altitudes between 800-3000 m. According to the USDA, it grows at all stages of secession (agroforestry) and can be found on low slopes and valleys in many areas. Fun Fact: Love hickory-smoked meat or fish? Western Juniper 2 Conclusion They are also used in medicine to fight serious illnesses such as cancer. The loquat produces a sweet, orange fruit that is popular in Asia. The Ponderosa Pine is a tall, straight-trunked tree with an irregular, cylindrical open crown. The scaly, needle-like leaves of the Western Juniper grow in whorls of three and act as important food sources for many species of birds. Its highly adaptable and will tolerate alkaline soils, as well as high elevation, wind, humidity, and dry conditions. What State Has the Most Trees? All 50 States Ranked (With Map) 0000231501 00000 n Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), 12. Although its numbers have been impacted by Dutch elm disease, the American elm can still be found with its tall, arching branches creating a shady place to escape the hot summer sun. These trees take an extremely long time to grow and often rot from the inside, creating hollow trunks. The Western hemlock is the official state tree of Washington. Western hemlock can grow to great sizes, including heights of over 200 feet and trunks thicker than 4 feet. The loquat is a small, deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 feet tall. Douglas firs can grow up to 200 feet tall and feature short, flat needles that are around one to two inches long. The branches grow horizontally, are pendulous, spaced irregularly, and persist on the tree for some time after they die. Our Recommendations For The Best Maple Trees To Plant In Washington State. Fromhaving a summertime snack in a shady spot to climbing to the highest branch, so many of our memories are rooted in nature and the trees that provide so much to us. The Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is the most widespread of all conifers in the area, common on both sides of the mountains, in dry conditions as well as wet. 0000157777 00000 n The propensity to rot has made it difficult for arborists to gauge accurate ages for these trees as the age rings rot away. Other Common Names: Shore Pine, Twisted Pine, Contorta Pine, Average Size at Maturity: 70-80 ft tall and 10-20 ft wide. Despite the impressive heights and ages of this tree, they are constantly under attack from budworms which stunt their growth and kill their highest points. So if youre looking to learn more about evergreen trees, read on! Close-up view of white pine tree needles. Average Size at Maturity: 15-25 ft tall and 15-20 ft wide. The leaves are dark green, elongated to ovoid with a greenish/grey, silver/white underside. 222 0 obj<>stream 0000120629 00000 n The foliage are needles, similar in appearance to true Hemlocks and Douglas fir trees. The Grand Fir is a fast-growing tree capable of reaching great heights in the wild. Tree Identification | Washington Farm Forestry Association Moreover, there are smaller populations in North Dakota, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. Washington's forests are among the most extensive in the United States; about half the state's land area is forested. Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), 17. Boxleaf azara is Washingtons state small tree. They grow fast and look gorgeous in spring, summer, and fall. They can grow up to 200 feet tall and have a trunk with a width of up to four feet. 0000016737 00000 n The red cedar also produces small cones that are around 1/4 inch in diameter. The trunk is smooth and the branches are greyish/brown and the needles are dark green and shiny, flat, and have two pronounced white stripes on the underside. 0000040666 00000 n This tree is prevalent in coastal cliffs, where it tends to contort its growth habitat. Young trees need lots of water. Grown in cultivation it wont reach the great heights seen in the wild, but will still need to be given adequate space. Washingtons forests are home to about 25 native tree species. endstream endobj 134 0 obj<>/Metadata 131 0 R/Pages 130 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 135 0 obj<>/ColorSpace<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/Properties<>/MC11<>/MC12<>/MC13<>/MC0<>/MC1<>/MC2<>/MC3<>/MC4<>/MC5<>/MC6<>/MC7<>/MC8<>/MC9<>>>/ExtGState<>>>/Type/Page>> endobj 136 0 obj<> endobj 137 0 obj<> endobj 138 0 obj[/ICCBased 172 0 R] endobj 139 0 obj<>stream Interesting Facts About Washington State's Most Common Trees Watch out, though: these attractive trees can entice critters to live in them. In such areas Paper Birchs may only live 30 years, although they can reach 100 in more favorable conditions. It produces white flowers in the springtime that are followed by red berries. Redbud is easy to identify in the spring, when the red buds of this small tree burst open into tiny purple blooms that line the branches for as long as two to three weeks. 2023 The Nature Conservancy Other Common Names: Subalpine Larch, Lyall Larch. 0000021097 00000 n Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Get text updates from The Nature Conservancy: American basswood tree standing at the edge of a lake. a > *Y$]JD'(vXCFx3WU{CzFq6XldM&CJhB tEl Fun Fact:Native Americans invented the process of maple sap collection and its distillation into maple sugar and maple syrup. 2019 - Pacific Arboriculture - All rights reserved. Plant your tree at least several feet away from the marked lines. 0000020107 00000 n A widely-known variety of the pine family, Douglas Firs, is an evergreen conifer species indigenous to North America. However, some beeches can drop lots of fruit, creating messes, attracting animals, and sprouting new beech trees. 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Pacific Dogwoods are variable trees, taking on different forms depending on their location. Western hemlocks tree can grow up to 200 feet and feature dark green, flattened needles with a silvery underside. xref Instead, they have small shiny green leaves with points and serrated edges similar to a holly leaf. 0000155750 00000 n In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of evergreen trees that can be found in Washington state, as well as their defining characteristics. Douglas Firs are capable of growing up to 3 ft a year and can be used as natural privacy trees or even pruned into a hedge. The fall rains help the new tree establish its root system before winter. They are small, shrub-like, and sprout single seeds surrounded by a red construct that looks remarkably like a berry. Washingtons forested area mostly lies west of the mountainous areas known as the Cascade Range, which bisects the state of Washington into Eastern and Western Washington. Being a varied climate zone, Washington State encompasses mountains, plateaus, coasts, and volcanic peaks, there are plenty of different trees to admire in the wild here. The Pacific Yew is found in moist old forests as an understory tree beneath larger trees such as Western Hemlocks or Douglas Firs, according to Native Plants PNW. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. They produce a distinct odour and feature bluish-green needle shaped leaves that grow up to one inch long. See also List of U.S. state, district, and territorial insignia National Grove of State Trees National Register of Champion Trees Notes Red Alder 1.7 7. %%EOF Why Is The Western Hemlock Washington's State Tree? Why Does My House Smell Like Gas But With No Leak: 6 Possible Reasons. 0000008516 00000 n The Ponderosa Pine is prevalent in large numbers in theOkanagan ValleyandPuget Soundareas of Washington, on the banks of theNiobrara Riverin Nebraska, and theWillamette Valleyof Oregon. Growing Fruit Trees in the Northwest Known by multiple names, including bearberry and Cascara Sagrada, the Cascara tree belongs to the Rhamnaceae family of plants and is indigenous to the Pacific Northwest with populations distributed from British Columbia to California and Montana. The bark grows in small shield-like medallions, and the wood is a popular choice for making musical instruments such as pianos and guitars. The oldest trees are found in large wet forests in the lowlands near Washingtons coast. Our Recommendations For The Best Cypress Trees To Plant In Washington State. The leaves are bright green above and waxy underneath, small in size. As in other states, this partly oceanic climate favors the growth of forests, which are prevalent across about half of the states land area. Sitka Spruce 1.6 6. They also produce pine cones that can be up to four inches long, with large bract scales that look like petals. The foliage is grey/green or blue/green on flattened sprays. Much of this region supports dense temperate rainforest of conifer species. These cold-weather trees are often seen growing alone near the tree line of mountain slopes and enjoy sharp cold winters and mild summers. How Do I Sue My Landlord for Emotional Distress Due to Poor Living Conditions? When foresters practice sustainable forestry, many different types of trees grow throughout the four main, Did you know Western Hemlock is the Washington State Tree?. 20 Native Trees Commonly Found in Washington State 1. It produces clusters of small, yellow flowers that produce distinctive orange seeds. Most of this region has plentiful rainfall and mild summers, excellent conditions for growing many types of fruit trees. Lastly, this tree is highly flexible and sometimes bends its top down to the ground from where it starts a new root system. Other Common Names: Alaska Pine, and Western Hemlock-Spruce, Average Size at Maturity: 100-150 ft tall and 20-30 ft wide. Lastly, this tree is widely distributed, with populations existing in Alaska, Washington, North Carolina, New Mexico, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and the Hudson Valley of New York. Coastal redwood (sequoia sempervirens), 5 Types of Maple Trees in Washington State, The Best Fruit Trees for the Pacific Northwest, 4 Main Types of Pine Trees in Washington State. . In the wild, its a vigorous understory tree whose bent limbs can re-root easily when contact with the earth is made. If you plan to grow your tree near the street, you may need to apply for a permit from the Department of Transportation first. 0000164580 00000 n The Best Trees to Plant in Washington State. Its a pioneer species that colonizes recently disturbed sites near streams and cleared or burned land. This diverse environment has produced trees that can grow 300 feet tall and live over a thousand years and arid trees that look more like shrubs than they do their cousins. The western hemlock is the official tree of Washington State. Living on average between 200 to 300 years, the white oak produces acorns that are an important source of food for a wide variety of birds and mammals, including turkeys, woodpeckers, black bear and rabbits. The Rocky Mountain juniper is a medium-sized evergreen that can grow up to 40 feet tall. The leaves are oval with fine hairs, and the fruit are orange and red as are the fall colors. 0000167581 00000 n There are numerous different trees native to Washington, each with a distinct look, unique history, and charm. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) A Midwest favorite, sugar maple is famous for its exceptional fall color. Douglas Fir (pseudotsuga menziesii) Its the largest of the hemlocks, so if youre considering planting one, make sure your yard has enough room to accommodate it. Both east and west of the Cascades, the landscape of Washington state is dominated by evergreen trees, mainly conifers, or cone-bearing trees.

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