Pinaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Tsuga mertensiana

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Tsuga mertensiana is an evergreen tree with a conic crown; it can grow up to 40 metres tall, though is often dwarf and stunted when growing at higher elevations. The straight, cylindrical bole is up to 150cm in diameter[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and a source of materials. It is sometimes harvested on a commercial basis for its wood, but is considered to be somewhat inferior to the wood of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). It also makes an excellent ornamental tree for gardens with its dense foliage growing from long and short shoots and naturally conical habit. Despite this, it is uncommon in gardens and only a limited number of cultivars is known. This species has a vast range and is of only minor importance as a timber tree. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeWestern N. America - Alaska to California.

HabitatExposed ridges and slopes at high altitudes, often ascending to 3,000 metres[ 82 Title Manual of the Trees of N. America. Publication Author Sargent. C. S. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ Publisher Dover Publications Inc. New York. Year 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X Description Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet. ]. The best stands are found in sheltered areas with deep moist well-drained soils, high precipitation and long cold winters[ 229 Title The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Publication Author Elias. T. Publisher Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. Year 1980 ISBN 0442238622 Description A very good concise guide. Gives habitats, good descriptions, maps showing distribution and a few of the uses. It also includes the many shrubs that occasionally reach tree proportions. ].