Conifers of the Pacific Northwest
Introduction
The Pacific Northwest is home to a vast and diverse array of coniferous plants, also known as conifers. These trees are iconic symbols of the region, and they play a vital role in the ecosystem.
Types of Conifers in the Pacific Northwest
There are three main botanical families of conifers in the Pacific Northwest: Pine, Cypress, and Yew.
- Pine family: Includes Douglas fir, hemlock, fir, pine, spruce, and larch.
- Cypress family: Includes four cedar species, two junipers, and the redwood.
- Yew family: Includes only the Pacific yew.
Douglas Fir: The Most Common Conifer
Douglas fir is the most common conifer in the Pacific Northwest. It is actually not a true fir, but belongs to its own genus. Douglas firs have distinctive downward-pointing cones and pitchfork-shaped bracts.
True Firs
True firs have erect cones that break apart at maturity, leaving a spike on the branch. They have smooth bark with resin blisters on young stems and alternately furrowed and smooth bark on large trunks. Needles either lie in flat rows or curve upwards, but all come to a soft, non-prickly point.
Hemlocks
There are two types of hemlock conifers in the Pacific Northwest: Western hemlock and Mountain hemlock. Western hemlock has short, flat needles and small cones, while Mountain hemlock has short, irregular needles and longer cones. The cones of both hemlocks have rounded scales but lack the bracts of the Douglas fir.
Pines
Pines are the most common conifer in the world, but they don’t do well in the dark, damp, and dense forests of the Pacific Northwest. They are more common in open forests and on the east side of the Cascade Mountains. Pines have long, bundled needles and large, woody cones.
Spruces
Spruces have needles that are sharp and pointed, and each needle grows on its own small peg. The cones have extremely thin scales, and the bark is gray and scaled.
Larches
Larches are unique among conifers because they are deciduous, meaning they drop their needles in the fall. They have needles that grow in bundles, and they can be found on the east side of the Cascade Mountains and in the North Cascades of Washington.
Cedars
North American cedars are different from those of other regions. They have flat, scale-like leaves and stringy-looking bark. The Western Red cedar is the most common cedar in the Pacific Northwest, but other species include Incense cedar, Alaska cedar, and Port Orford cedar.
Other Cypresses
The only cypress native to the Pacific Northwest is the Modoc cypress. Other cypresses that make the Northwest their home include the Western juniper, Rocky Mountain juniper, redwood, and sequoia.
Yews
Yews are unlike other Pacific Northwest conifers. Their seeds are contained in small, red, berry-like fruit. Although they do have needles, they lack cones, which has led to some debate about their classification as conifers. Only the Pacific yew is native to the Pacific Northwest.
Conclusion
The conifers of the Pacific Northwest are a diverse and fascinating group of trees. They play a vital role in the ecosystem, and they are a beautiful and iconic part of the region’s landscape.
