The foliage are needles, similar in appearance to true Hemlocks and Douglas fir trees. White oak can grow to a height of 25-30 feet and width of 12-15 feet as a result of its growth process. The Red Alder is a fast-growing tree thats suited to coastal and lowland areas of WA. Like our other native oak trees, swamp white oaks are especially important for hungry migratory birds who rely on their acorns and the tasty insects hiding under their rough bark. It is in these forested areas that many of the states approximately 25 native trees can be found. 15 Most Common Trees in Washington State - ProGardenTips The leaves are oval, 3-6 long, and shiny green with pointed tips and serrated edges. According to the American Conifer Society, the Alpine Larch is adapted to growing on poor soils on exposed northern slopes up to the tree line. 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. They grow best in sandy, clay, or loamy soils. Please enter a valid email address (formatted as name@company.com). 0000022443 00000 n 0000135496 00000 n 5 Types of Maple Trees in Washington State - ProGardenTips 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. 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. The Grand Fir can grow in the shade and is used for timber. 8. The Lodgepole Pine is an extremely adaptable pine tree. There are cold lonely mountain peaks that are constantly snowy and areas that are always mild and rarely ever see snow. 0000044038 00000 n Large populations of Pacific Dogwood exist in Oregon, Washington, and California. This article will outline 15 of the most common types of trees in Washington State, explaining some important characteristics and defining features of each one along the way. Young trees produce green cones whilst older trees cones are dark brown. The Ponderosa Pine is a tall, straight-trunked tree with an irregular, cylindrical open crown. Some of the most common types include: Deodar cedars are tall, conical shaped evergreens that grow up to 50 feet in height. The most common are the coastal red oak, the Garry oak, and the black oak. Based on the climate and popularity, the following are our recommendations for the best trees to plant in Seattle, Tacoma, and across Washington. 0000111504 00000 n If you ever go hiking in the Pacific Northwest, keep your eyes peeled for these hemlocks gripping the sides of the slopes above. 0000002495 00000 n Charitable Solicitation Disclosures These pines can grow as tall as 200 feet and live as long as 500 years when they live in ideal conditions. 0000249025 00000 n 0000139593 00000 n Pacific Yew 1.8 8. The Coastal redwood is Washingtons state most common large tree. For the Eastern gray and Eastern fox . 4. Populations of Pacific Yew can be found in Alaska, California, and of course, Washington, although smaller populations exist in Idaho and British Columbia. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 0000011242 00000 n Interesting Facts About Washington State's Most Common Trees The Pacific Dogwoods branches have very fine hairs, while the bark is relatively smooth. If you prefer not to deal with that hassle, contact the professionals at Pacific Arboriculture. It provides food and habitat for a host of birds and small mammals, including jays and chickadees, amongst others. A number of species are common throughout the moist to dry range with a few species found at one end of the . Red spruce, Picea rubens, is a common forest tree of the Acadian forest region. The state of Washington is a densely forested state, the maple tree is only one of many common types of trees in Washington State. 1 0000208812 00000 n It has broad leaves that are around six inches long and produces fragrant yellow flowers in the springtime. These trees can grow as tall as 300 feet and have trunks that exceed 12 in diameter. The second window is in the late summer or early fall. Washington is home to four species of native tree squirrels and two species of introduced tree squirrels. The Mountain Hemlock is native to the west coast of North America and is a coniferous evergreen. Western Red Cedar 1.4 4. Need Tree Help? Importantly, the spread of this trees canopy and the height of its trunk tend to vary with the level of sunlight. We hope this list will help you branch out and enjoy the trees all around you. Youve already signed up with this email address. They have classic maple-like leaves, only bigger! Other Common Names: Oregon Alder, Coastal Alder, Western Alder, and White Alder, Average Size at Maturity: 30-50 ft tall and 20-30 ft wide. 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. This prevalence is evidenced by the fact that the Western Red Cedar has populations distributed from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2,290 meters. 0000069321 00000 n Grows best in deep, moist, well-drained soils. The cones of the western hemlock are less than one inch in size. . Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org, Carl Dennis, Auburn University, Bugwood.org. Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) Image by Gertjan van Noord via Flickr The Western Hemlock is the official tree of the state of Washington. The Western White pine is known for it large, resinous cones that measure up to six inches in length. They have a pleasant appearance and can be kept at very manageable sizes. The Mountain Hemlock grows up to 20 to 40 meters in height and up to 2 meters in trunk diameter. This article may contain affiliate links. ?SarOqR9o,(s)>6S6Dy0o\[+J?>D#Z#$dEbX:bwNd7XM6g45D^KqOO$SXttXTE6%jb#DZ%Ld25crKc`5c2$ Average Size at Maturity: 15-25 ft tall and 15-20 ft wide. This tree is prevalent in coastal cliffs, where it tends to contort its growth habitat. Paper birches love moist cool soil with an eastern or northern aspect, where the roots are protected from the harsh sun. They can grow up to 200 feet tall and have a trunk with a width of up to four feet. Its highly adaptable and will tolerate alkaline soils, as well as high elevation, wind, humidity, and dry conditions. Oak trees come in several colors. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. A Midwest favorite, sugar maple is famous for its exceptional fall color. 0000016355 00000 n 0000253903 00000 n In the fall, these leaves turn a yellowish-brown that isnt quite as ornamental as other species, such as the sugar maple. The Black Cottonwood is a tall deciduous broadleaf tree with a conical crown. Sitka spruce is extremely common in the wet coastal areas of the Pacific, stretching from Washington up through British Columbia and into Alaska. Mature Pacific Madrones have an orange-red and flaky bark and grow to heights of 10 to 30 meters and diameters of 5 to 8 feet. The arils are eaten by birds who disperse the seeds, whilst the foliage is browsed by deer. The tallest Douglas firs can approach 300 feet in height, and some of the oldest examples of this tree have been estimated to be close to 1000 years old. Pacific Arboriculture can help you with all of your tree care needs, from identifying and removing existing trees on your property to planting and caring for new ones. 0000011882 00000 n The oldest specimen of these trees has been estimated to be 1,500 years old or older. 0000010153 00000 n 0000026397 00000 n However, some inland populations exist in western Montana and Northern Idaho. This is a deciduous broadleaf tree that reaches heights of 20 to 30 meters. 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. A wide array of wildlife eats its tasty nuts. You can recognize this tree by its gray, furrowed bark and elliptical green leaves that have toothy edges. The Western Hemlock is the official tree of the state of Washington. 0000164580 00000 n They thrive in moist coastal lands and the low mountains near the coast of the state. This small to medium-sized evergreen conifer grows up to 15 meters in height and 0.5 meters in trunk diameter. Copyright 2023 House Grail. 0000017278 00000 n Western hemlocks do not grow in stands but often happily coexist with multiple different tree species. Fast-growing in youth, the spherical crown becomes rounded with age. It is native to forest areas of Washington and the western United States. Other Common Names: Coast Spruce, Tideland Spruce, Average Size at Maturity: 50-160 ft tall and 20-30 ft wide. 20 Common Types of Washington State Native Trees 0000008516 00000 n Talk to an Expert (206) 909-2170. 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. Most Western Hemlock trees are distributed within 100 km off the Pacific coast in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. It produces white flowers in the springtime that are followed by red berries. 133 0 obj <> endobj With hard, dense wood, it is valued for its use as flooring, furniture, veneer, musical instruments and railroad ties. Learning more about the trees that make up our wonderful state and beautiful forests is always a good idea, whether you're looking for ways to improve your landscaping or . Named after its thin white bark, this short-lived deciduous tree reaches heights of 20 to 40 meters and a trunk diameter of 75 cm. 9 Types of Trees in Washington (With Pictures) | House Grail Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) A Midwest favorite, sugar maple is famous for its exceptional fall color. Also known as canoe birch and American White Birch, the Paper Birch is a birch species that is indigenous to North America. 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. Showing 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. All three of these species are found in the western part of the state. These trees grow in scrubby land that has a savannah appearance rather than in the wet old-growth forests that occupy much of the western part of the state. It can grow up to 30 feet tall and feature dark green leaves that are around three inches long. Living with wildlife: Tree squirrels | Washington Department of Fish The Sitka spruce also produces cones that are around two inches long. Waxy evergreen foliage is typical of the Pacific Madrone, as are their long, broad leaves, which are arranged spirally. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Washingtons forests are home to about 25 native tree species. Youre probably more likely to associate Wisconsin with. Taking its name from Sitka in Southeast Alaska, where this tree is prevalent, the Sitka Spruce is a very large species of evergreen coniferous tree. This highly adaptive species of pine is distinguished by its yellow to orange-red bark color. Washington - Plant and animal life | Britannica They generally grow slowly, but some can grow to 100 feet tall and live up to 300 years. The Red Alder features a vivid red inner bark underneath the grey outer layer, which is where the species gets its common name. Fun Fact: The pea-sized berries of the common hackberry are edible, ripening in early September, and their leaves are a primary food source for the larvae of several butterflies, including question marks and mourning cloaks. Get a quote today! We can handle all your permits for you. Nicknamed "The Evergreen State," Washington is known for having a lot of evergreen trees. Nvuq{3Y^27h+}[cTmwf>!V%Am.+ v Sitka Spruce 1.6 6. | Join a Volunteer Advisory Committee to participate in the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office's grant programs that protect riparian areas. There are areas that get multiple feet of rain per year and areas where it hardly rains at all. It grows in abundance throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Washington State, where it is one of the most common trees. Western Hemlock 1.5 5. Needles appear in bunches of 2 on a twisted spiral with sharp points and have a dark green color. %PDF-1.4 % The Pacific Dogwood can be found at elevations between 3000-6000 ft along moist streams and riverbanks in either full sun or shade. Plant your tree at least several feet away from the marked lines. Greater Puget Sound Region: Tacoma & Outside Seattle.