Black Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock
Tsuga mertensiana
Synonyms: Abies hookeriana, Abies mertensiana, Hesperopeuce mertensiana, Picea hookeriana, Tsuga crassifolia, Tsuga mertensiana ssp. mertensiana
![Black Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock: Tsuga mertensiana (Synonyms: Abies hookeriana, Abies mertensiana, Hesperopeuce mertensiana, Picea hookeriana, Tsuga crassifolia, Tsuga mertensiana ssp. mertensiana)](../../../../cascade/mtadams/tree/conifer/tsuga/mertensiana/tsugamert1.jpg)
The photo above shows the tip of a typical
branch of mountain hemlock. The needles of this species are arranged around
all sides of the branches and are somewhat thickened in cross-section and measure
from 1-2 cm long. The cones are roughly elliptical in shape and measure from
3-7 cm long. The similar western hemlock has needles which are more 2-ranked
on the sides of the twigs with the needles of unequal length. The cones of the
western hemlock are roughly egg-shaped and measure from 1.5-2.5 cm long. Photographed
at treeline at Crystal Lake on the western slopes of Mt. Adams........September
25, 2005.
- ![Black Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock: Tsuga mertensiana (Synonyms: Abies hookeriana, Abies mertensiana, Hesperopeuce mertensiana, Picea hookeriana, Tsuga crassifolia, Tsuga mertensiana ssp. mertensiana)](../../../../cascade/mtadams/tree/conifer/tsuga/mertensiana/tsugamerttop.jpg)
The upper portion of mountain hemlock as seen
near treeline along the Round the Mt. Trail #9 at the Aiken Lava Flow on the
southern slopes of Mt. Adams.........October 22, 2005. Notice how the
tip of the tree arches to the side, a diagnostic identification feature for
this genus. This species may be found from about 4000' up to treeline.
![Cones of Black Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock: Tsuga mertensiana (Synonyms: Abies hookeriana, Abies mertensiana, Hesperopeuce mertensiana, Picea hookeriana, Tsuga crassifolia, Tsuga mertensiana ssp. mertensiana)](../../../../cascade/mtadams/tree/conifer/tsuga/mertensiana/tsugamertcones.jpg)
The photo above shows an unopened and open cone of mountain
hemlock as seen near treeline along the Round the Mt. Trail #9 at the Aiken
Lava Flow on the southern slopes of Mt. Adams.........October 22, 2005.
The cones of mountain hemlock measure from 2.5-7 cm long, while those of the
western hemlock measure from 1.5-2.5 cm long.
Paul Slichter