{"id":11913,"date":"2022-09-13T03:46:55","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T08:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=11913"},"modified":"2023-04-19T01:59:53","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T06:59:53","slug":"why-is-the-western-hemlock-washingtons-state-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/why-is-the-western-hemlock-washingtons-state-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is The Western Hemlock Washington\u2019s State Tree?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

All U.S. states have a multitude of official state symbols. Have you ever wondered at the stories behind the selection of these symbols? Perhaps you know that the state tree of Washington is the western hemlock. But how did this come about? Why is the western hemlock Washington\u2019s state tree? Where are hemlock trees found in Washington? Keep reading as we explore these questions and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is the Western Hemlock Washington\u2019s State Tree?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Why<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The story of how western hemlock became the state tree of Washington is rather a comical one<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1946, the <\/strong>Portland Oregonian<\/em><\/strong> newspaper decided to poke fun at the fact that Oregon\u2019s neighbor to the north, Washington, hadn\u2019t selected a state tree yet. The <\/strong>Oregonian <\/em><\/strong>suggested that western hemlock would be a good choice for Washington. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, people in Washington were not amused by the mockery from their southern neighbor. Various newspapers throughout the state responded to the teasing and decided to select another tree, the popular western red cedar, as their unofficial state tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This debate between newspapers caught the attention of the state legislature, prompting them to officially select a state tree the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though the suggestion came from Oregon, Mason County Representative George Adams favored the western hemlock over the western red cedar. He pushed hard for the western hemlock to become the official state tree, calling it \u201cthe backbone of this state\u2019s forest industry\u201d<\/em> in his speech to the legislature.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His efforts persuaded the majority of his fellow legislators, and the western hemlock was officially designated the Washington state tree in 1947. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, Adams\u2019 prediction was correct: the western hemlock truly is the backbone of Washington\u2019s forest industry. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is considered a climax species, meaning it would likely overrun the state\u2019s evergreen forests<\/a> if left alone. As such, it is a popular lumber tree, and its wood is prized for its even grain and diversity of uses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more, check out the following video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YPRpVNUXKn0<\/a>