most common trees in washington state

$18.95. 0000003878 00000 n Distributed from southwest British Columbia to the north of California, the Vine Maple is a species of Maple that commonly grows as a large 5 to 8-meter tall shrub. Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) Image by Gertjan van Noord via Flickr The Western Hemlock is the official tree of the state of Washington. Emerging Basswood leaves in early spring. Their flowers provide food for pollinators and their leaves turn a beautiful golden shade in the fall. 0000245990 00000 n While there is essentially no forested area in this rain-shadowed region east of the Cascades, this landscape is very important for upholding the states agricultural productiveness. The foliage is grey/green or blue/green on flattened sprays. Did you know Douglas-fir was names after David Douglas, a Scottish botanist? The Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 53-0242652) under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. 0000002495 00000 n Most of these species are also common in eastern Washington. While Paper Birch trees can grow for 100 years in cold climates, they do not handle heat and humidity well, making their average lifespan closer to 30 years. The foliage are needles, similar in appearance to true Hemlocks and Douglas fir trees. Washington is called the evergreen state due to the large number of evergreen trees that make their home here. They provide some privacy and exist in several colors. This type of Juniper tree thrives in rocky, dry areas where competition from other trees is minimal. What Is the Average Height of a Bathroom Countertop? p9+`+yUc$,bgHw|Ar9+Y4b[;|_GYU'[5([/d"kE! wKU(v1f6YIo2Iw51`2clak"cKI/K$ *{lM}vB5-*}$+rv ; 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. Trees of Washington's Forests The forests of the Pacific Northwest contain more evergreens than almost anywhere in the United States. The leaves are bright green above and waxy underneath, small in size. Evergreen trees are special because they do not lose their needles during the fall. Bigleaf maple is a great friction fire wood. They grow fast and look gorgeous in spring, summer, and fall. Suffice to say, though, that Wash-ington is home to some record-breaking trees. On the other side, North Dakota comes in at the lowest at 3%. If you want to learn more about the different types of fir trees and their identifying features you can read our post on those. Our Recommendations For The Best Beech Trees To Plant In Washington State. 0000016355 00000 n 0000095038 00000 n These trees thrive in the wet climates along Washingtons coast and cluster in deep old growth forests. Some of these trees are best viewed in the wild, where you can see them in their full natural beauty and truly massive sizes. Another dead giveaway are the leaves, which resemble tulips when they emerge from their large, expanding pastel buds in the spring. The Pacific Madrone is drought tolerant once established. Native Madrone can grow up to 45 feet high and feature smooth, green bark that is divided into plates. Nebraska has the second-lowest tree cover at 4%, followed by South Dakota at 5%. Western Hemlock is the state tree of Washington. 0000018163 00000 n Other trees can be bought from a local nursery and planted in the yard as ornamental plants or shade trees. The Sitka spruce also produces cones that are around two inches long. 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. Small orange/red fruit follow, ripening in the fall and persist into the winter, proving a food source for local birds. The Black Cottonwood is a tall deciduous broadleaf tree with a conical crown. 0000020840 00000 n Common shrubs include willow, red osier dogwood, snowberry, and mock orange. Other Common Names: Western Balsam Poplar, Average Size at Maturity: 30-100 ft tall and 20-30 ft wide. Growing prevalently in the mountainous altitudes of the Pacific Northwest, the Western Juniper is a shrub that can be found at elevations of 800 to 3,300 meters. 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. These cold-weather trees are often seen growing alone near the tree line of mountain slopes and enjoy sharp cold winters and mild summers. There are several species of oak trees that grow in the state of Washington. Moreover, this tree has a very thick bark, making it one of the Pacific Northwests most fire-retardant trees. We wrote a great article on the different types of pine trees and how to identify them which I recommend reading. Sitka spruce is extremely common in the wet coastal areas of the Pacific, stretching from Washington up through British Columbia and into Alaska. The climate is relatively dry to the East of the Cascades and includes arid desert and semiarid steppe regions. This is perhaps the most common tree in our area. Our Recommendations For The Best Fir Trees To Plant In Washington State. 0000180857 00000 n They are medium-sized trees reaching 20 35 meters in height and 8 feet in trunk diameter. The bark is thin and red on the interior. 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. of 0000003767 00000 n They grow best in sandy, clay, or loamy soils. 0000028394 00000 n 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. The tallest examples of this tree have attained heights reaching over 175 feet tall. 20 Native Trees Commonly Found in Washington State 1. The Ponderosa Pine has a moderate to fast-growth rate and grows best in deep, moist, well-drained soil. Douglas fir is prized as a Christmas tree. Like many other northwestern states, Washington is home to a large and diverse collection of trees. However, some inland populations exist in western Montana and Northern Idaho. You can also spot these trees by their tiny cones. It has an incredible scent that is instantly recognizable. These are practical, unoffensive choices. Mobile Terms & Conditions They only grow to be 50 feet at maximum and rarely reach 60 feet. Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org, Carl Dennis, Auburn University, Bugwood.org. The most common plant community in the Pacific Northwest is dominated by large conifers, with a wide range of trees, shrubs and groundcovers as understory plants. So, we put together a list of recommendations for the best trees to plant in Seattle and Tacoma. They are small, shrub-like, and sprout single seeds surrounded by a red construct that looks remarkably like a berry. Youve already signed up with this email address. They can endure the cool temperatures of Puget Sound winters and thrive naturally. Get text updates from The Nature Conservancy: American basswood tree standing at the edge of a lake. We may have detected a typo. The English Holly can grow up to 30 feet tall and feature spiny leaves that are around 3-4 inches long. Douglas Fir 1.3 3. 0000178830 00000 n Large populations of Western Juniper can be found in Idaho, Oregon, California, and Washington. Indigenous to Northwestern North America, the subalpine larch, or Alpine Larch, is a species of deciduous, coniferous tree that is prevalent in the high altitude regions of the Rocky Mountains in Idaho, Montana, and West of the Cascades in Washington. 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 west of the Cascades experiences a Mediterranean climate with relatively mild temperatures and wet summers. Other Common Names: Pacific Madrona, Arbutus, Madroo, Bearberry, Average Size at Maturity: 20-50 ft tall and wide. 0000002096 00000 n 0000242955 00000 n Nvuq{3Y^27h+}[cTmwf>!V%Am.+ v As in other states, this partly oceanic climate favors the growth of forests, which are prevalent across about half of the states land area. 2278 Cypress trees can grow quickly to create a hedge of spires. Did you know Western Red Cedar chips are used to make medical masks and gowns? The Kwanzan Cherry is the most prolific bloomer of all the flowering cherry trees. Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), 17. Other Common Names: Alaska Pine, and Western Hemlock-Spruce, Average Size at Maturity: 100-150 ft tall and 20-30 ft wide. Be sure to plant your cypress trees with good drainage to avoid the risk of root rot. Its the largest of the hemlocks, so if youre considering planting one, make sure your yard has enough room to accommodate it. The simple oval leaves of the tree also have fine hairs and conceal rather inconspicuous flowers. ,^hpWUUDFEkn}#21 d#x#m[9)OAt 8\h _$;hh:jiXJ9%~ M)!I j"+T[./E_J:%kwW:E(&n+""Yt.t =WI=S*hZ]HL+u&+4R8{^ 93vW9lQt8toRQWdx;_kUN39wWTiKlj|. endstream endobj 140 0 obj<>stream An excellent photo identification guide. Thomas worked for a number of years as the head of plant propagation for a horticultural contractor taking care of many different species of ornamental trees & shrubs. The leaves are oval with fine hairs, and the fruit are orange and red as are the fall colors. Some of the most common types include: Deodar cedars are tall, conical shaped evergreens that grow up to 50 feet in height. When comparing states, Maine has the highest percentage of tree cover 89%, followed by New Hampshire, 83%, and Vermont, 82%. The Pacific Yew produces a scarlet red berry that is poisonous for humans, but chickens love to eat! Mountain hemlocks, unsurprisingly, grow on the sides of tall mountains. 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. Fun Fact:Native Americans invented the process of maple sap collection and its distillation into maple sugar and maple syrup. The forests of the Pacific Northwest contain more evergreens than almost anywhere in the United States. Other Common Names: Subalpine Larch, Lyall Larch. The Rocky Mountain juniper is a medium-sized evergreen that can grow up to 40 feet tall. On the semiarid parts of the Columbia basin, grasses prevail, merging into sagebrush and other scattered shrubs in the driest areas. 0000010153 00000 n Western Hemlock grows well in the sun or shade. 0 They are also used in medicine to fight serious illnesses such as cancer. <<6CF62D1802E7784887E4170F923F0F93>]>> Most of this region has plentiful rainfall and mild summers, excellent conditions for growing many types of fruit trees. The Ponderosa Pine tends to grow to a height of 50 to 70 meters and has long, flexible, needle-like, and bright-green leaves. It is in these forested areas that many of the states approximately 25 native trees can be found. The Pacific Yew can be identified by its thin and scaly brown bark and its flat, dark-green, lanceolate leaves. 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. (In the wild it can reach 180 to 270 ft tall.). A widely-known variety of the pine family, Douglas Firs, is an evergreen conifer species indigenous to North America. Lastly, this tree is highly flexible and sometimes bends its top down to the ground from where it starts a new root system. 0000187740 00000 n Importantly, the spread of this trees canopy and the height of its trunk tend to vary with the level of sunlight. 0000000016 00000 n The Lodgepole Pine can grow in both waterlogged sites as well as in dry rocky outcrops, at various elevations. 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. The surefire way to distinguish it is to look at the cone, which has a three-pronged bract emerging between the scales. Please enter a valid email address (formatted as name@company.com). The bark has a brownish, red/cinnamon color, and is fissured and scaly with a fibrous inner bark. 0000002596 00000 n Douglas Fir (pseudotsuga menziesii) Tom Brandt Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Dont be too quick to plant your new tree alone. 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 branches grow horizontally and the crown has a conical shape, becoming rounded with age. Thats why it does so well in land cleared by harvesting, wildfire, or even volcanic eruption.. Fun Fact: Love hickory-smoked meat or fish? Alaska Yellow Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), different types of pine trees and how to identify, Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, types of dogwood trees and how to identify them, different types of fir trees and their identifying features, 10 Best Fruit Tree Varieties to Grow in Washington State, 6 Fast Growing Trees for Washington State (Shade or Hedge), 12 Washington State Flowering Trees to Brighten Up Your Yard, 10 Evergreen Trees in Washington State for Color & Privacy, 5 Types of Pine Trees You Will Find in Washington State. The bark is blackish/brown and furrowed on young trees, becoming brown/russet/yellow when older, breaking into scaly plates. 0000022443 00000 n The Coastal Redwood produces clusters of small, yellowish-white flowers in the springtime. 0000003654 00000 n The Western White Pine is a very common Washington evergreen tree. Other Common Names: Western Yew, English Yew, Japanese Yew, and Mountain Mahogany, Average Size at Maturity: 30-50 ft tall and 30-50 ft wide. Average Size at Maturity: 15-30 ft tall and 1.5-5 ft wide. To help you landscape your yard (and to identify these natural wonders), we've rounded up some of the most common native trees, shrubs and flowers you'll see in Spokane. 0000016737 00000 n There are areas that get multiple feet of rain per year and areas where it hardly rains at all. Learn more about how trees and wood products mitigate climate change. Did you know Ponderosa Pine seeds are an extremely valuable food source for birds and squirrels? Fun Fact: This hardy tree can stand up to the stress of urban environments and thrive in places like parking lot islands and sidewalks. We can handle all your permits for you. While that may seem like a lot of hassle, the potential safety concerns those procedures were designed to address can be severe. This large shrub at 4.5 meters in height has a silver brown bark and simple, deciduous leaves. At high elevations, trees can take on a stunted shrubby appearance (krummholz) Cones can be either male or female, but appear on the same tree and are small and dark purple, pendulous and mature in just one season. The branches are pendulous with upswept ends. Other Common Names: Giant Arborvitae, Western Arborvitae, and Pacific Red Cedar, Average Size at Maturity: 50-70 ft tall and 15-25 ft wide. Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Also known as the northern hackberry and American hackberry, the common hackberry is easily recognizable from a distance by its light gray, warty bark on massive trunks. 0000074455 00000 n Compared to other trees common to Washington, western junipers are relatively small. 0000085625 00000 n As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prevalent in large parts of California, Oregon, and Washington, the Sitka Spruce wont be found more the 50 miles inland from the Pacific. The Sitka spruce can grow up to 250 feet tall and feature needles that are around 1 1/4 inch long. It produces clusters of small, yellow flowers that produce distinctive orange seeds. To review your email preferences, please visit nature.org/emailpreferences. 0000011242 00000 n The western hemlock also produces distinct cones that grow in vertical pairs and can measure up to five inches long. 0000010502 00000 n The branches of this Cedar tree are short, horizontal, and drooping. Large populations of Pacific Dogwood exist in Oregon, Washington, and California. Indigenous to the western coastal areas of North America, the Pacific Madrone is a broadleaf evergreen tree distributed across California to British Columbia. This window works as long as the summer isnt too dry. However, alders do not live as long as other trees native to the wet coastal areas of the state. The Western Red Cedar is an evergreen coniferous tree that is part of the cypress family and is the most prevalent species of tree in its indigenous region, the Pacific Northwest. Both east and west of the Cascades, the landscape of Washington state is dominated by evergreen trees, mainly conifers, or cone-bearing trees. The oldest specimen of these trees has been estimated to be 1,500 years old or older. kik>2s5WM+]]CY Vp'2JX57f;>#jG0Y^,f>"mnSeWL. Douglas Fir (pseudotsuga menziesii) They have classic maple-like leaves, only bigger! Copyright, Washington Forest Protection Association. Global sites represent either regional branches of The Nature Conservancy or local affiliates of The Nature Conservancy that are separate entities. They can grow up to 200 feet tall and have a trunk with a width of up to four feet. An attractive shade tree, the American basswood can grow as tall at 60 to 80 feet with a round and lush crown made up of heart-shaped leaves. 0000205568 00000 n Trees provide shade and privacy and can even improve your property value. It is a tree that prefers rich, moist sites in mixed conditions and will dominate in a mature forest. Other Common Names: Alaska Cedar, Yellow Cedar, Yellow Cypress, Nootka False-Cypress, and Nootka Cypress, Average Size at Maturity: 20-40 ft tall and 15-20 ft wide. Its highly adaptable and will tolerate alkaline soils, as well as high elevation, wind, humidity, and dry conditions. These trees are recognized by the National Forestry Association as the largest living trees of their kind. 451 inches, height 126 feet) and Pacific silver fir (circ. Meanwhile, smaller inland populations exist in central Idaho. Black Cottonwood can be grown as solitary trees in parks and public areas. The trees bark is thin, furrowed, and gray, while the crown is slender and conical in juvenile trees and more cylindrical in older ones. 0000018487 00000 n H\W$9;A=86q$5&RO. 0000018865 00000 n Be aware that maple trees have shallow roots, which can potentially damage sidewalks as the tree matures. The Alpine Larch is a deciduous, coniferous tree native to high altitude areas (between 1800 and 2400 meters) west of the Cascades in WA. It produces white flowers in the springtime that are followed by red berries. Golden Chinquapin can grow up to 40 feet tall and feature smooth, green bark that is divided into plates. This tree is prevalent in coastal cliffs, where it tends to contort its growth habitat. Fun Fact: White pines are the only five-needle pines found east of the Rocky Mountains and get their common name from the number of needles in each pine: W-H-I-T-E! The majority of them are western hemlock. The Ponderosa Pine is prevalent in large numbers in theOkanagan ValleyandPuget Soundareas of Washington, on the banks of theNiobrara Riverin Nebraska, and theWillamette Valleyof Oregon. The needles are usually between 7 and 25mm in length. It has a low shade tolerance as well as fire tolerance because of its thin bark. a > *Y$]JD'(vXCFx3WU{CzFq6XldM&CJhB tEl This small to medium-sized evergreen conifer grows up to 15 meters in height and 0.5 meters in trunk diameter. 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 0000249025 00000 n
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