Tsuga heterophylla
The moist, mild Pacific Northwest climate is ideal for this shade tolerant species. Western hemlock is one of the four great Pacific Northwest conifers, making up much of the deep shady forest of this region.

This is the dominant conifer species at West Hylebos. Many Western Hemlocks begin their lives on nurse logs, in humus or mineral soil. At one time this area was heavily logged leaving wood debris behind to the advantage of this species.

Western Hemlocks are easy to identify with the whip at the top, and drooping branches. The mature Hemlock has reddish to gray-brown bark with shallow vertical grooves and tiny rounded cones. The younger hemlocks can be identified by tiny catkin-like cones and the flat leaves with blunt tips.

With its penchant for moisture, the hemlock's roots spread out like a dish in the wetlands, rendering them vulnerable to high winds. Many of the blowdowns in the park are hemlocks.