Trees in Washington

• The evergreen branches of the Sitka spruce tree. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  The state of Washington offers a diverse ecosystem with coastal rain forests, arid scrub land, high mountain alpine meadows, old growth forests and areas of rolling grasslands. In the mid-1800s, loggers flocked to the forests, and sawmills sprang up in virtually all cities. Timber became one of the most important economic staples to the locals. Today, many homeowners consider planting native tree varieties, which have shown a strong ability to withstand the regional climate with little care.

Sitka Spruce

• The evergreen Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) grows to height of up to 140 feet with a 5 foot diameter. The trunk is normally larger at the base and forms a swollen buttress. The tree grows predominately in the coastal rain forest area of the state. It enjoys moist, even swampy, soil conditions. It has a high tolerance for salt spray.

  The tree is highly valued, due to its rapid growth rate, in the timber industry where it is used for lumber and pulp production. Sitka spruce wood also offers an excellent strength/weight ratio, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. It commonly occurs under 1200 feet elevation but has been known to grow up to 3000 feet. It grows well in shady conditions where other trees often fail to thrive.

Western Hemlock

• The western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) holds the distinction of being the state tree of Washington. It thrives in the humid, coastal areas of the state. It enjoys frequent fog and precipitation. It does occur in other areas of the state but grows predominately in stream beds or other moist locations when it is removed from the humid coastal region. It occurs widely in pure stands and grows widely in mixed stand beside the Douglas fir.

  The tree grows to a height of 175 feet with a diameter of up to 5 feet. It grows best in moist, fertile soil but will tolerate areas of limestone and gravel with ease. It tolerates partially shady conditions. The tree is logged for lumber production and for use as a pulpwood.

Noble Fir

• The evergreen noble fir (Abies procera), also called the larch tree, occurs in the Cascade mountain range of the state. It grows well at elevations of 2,000 to 5,000 feet. The tree prefers moist, fertile soil. It grows to a height of 200 feet with a diameter up to 5 feet, according to the Virginia Tech. The tree does occur in small, pure stands, but is normally found in mixed stands where it is the dominant species. The lumber industry uses the tree's wood for light construction. It has a high strength ratio to its sheer weight. The noble fir produces a deep root system which makes it able to withstand high winds. A long-lived tree, it lives 400 to 700 years.