What is the common name for Tsuga mertensiana?

Tsuga mertensiana is commonly known as Mountain Hemlock. This species is native to the mountainous regions of the Pacific Northwest and is characterized by its conical shape and needle-like leaves that are dark green on top and silvery white underneath.

The Mountain Hemlock typically grows at higher elevations in the Cascades and along the coastal ranges, thriving in well-drained soil and cooler climates. Its adaptability to harsh mountain conditions is part of what makes it a distinctive species within the Tsuga genus.

While Western Hemlock is also a member of the Tsuga genus and shares a similar habitat, it refers specifically to Tsuga heterophylla, which is more commonly found at lower elevations and in a wider variety of habitats. Coast Redwood and Douglas Fir are entirely different species; coast redwoods belong to the Sequoiadendron genus, and Douglas fir is categorized under Pseudotsuga. Thus, Mountain Hemlock is the accurate common name for Tsuga mertensiana, as it reflects its ecological and geographical niche.