Mountain Hemlock Tsuga mertensiana (Bong.) Carr.

Pinaceae -- Pine family

Joseph E. Means

Mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) is usually found on cold, snowy subalpine sites where it grows slowly, sometimes attaining more than 800 years in age. Arborescent individuals that have narrowly conical crowns until old age (300 to 400 years) and shrubby krummholz on cold, windy sites near timberline add beauty to mountain landscapes. Taylor and Taylor (76) thoroughly describe its form. Uses of its moderately strong, light-colored wood include small-dimension lumber and pulp.

USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area
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11 Campus Blvd., Ste 200
Newtown Square, PA 19073
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