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Total Categories: 7
The scientific name *Tsuga heterophylla* is commonly associated with the species known as eastern hemlock.
Answer: False
The scientific name *Tsuga heterophylla* refers to western hemlock, not eastern hemlock.
*Tsuga heterophylla* belongs to the Kingdom Plantae and the Family Pinaceae.
Answer: True
*Tsuga heterophylla* is classified under the Kingdom Plantae and the Family Pinaceae.
The binomial name *Tsuga heterophylla* is primarily attributed to Carl Linnaeus.
Answer: False
The binomial name *Tsuga heterophylla* is attributed to Rafinesque and Sarg., not Carl Linnaeus.
The bark of *Tsuga heterophylla* is thick, deeply ridged, and dark brown, resembling that of an oak tree.
Answer: False
The bark of *Tsuga heterophylla* is described as brown, thin, and furrowed, not thick, deeply ridged, and dark brown like an oak tree.
Western hemlock is readily distinguished at all ages by its pendulous, or drooping, branchlet tips.
Answer: True
A key distinguishing feature of western hemlock at all ages is its pendulous, or drooping, branchlet tips.
The leaves of western hemlock are broad and flat, with a smooth margin, resembling those of a deciduous tree.
Answer: False
Western hemlock leaves are needle-like, strongly flattened, and have a finely serrated margin, not broad, flat, and smooth-margined like deciduous tree leaves.
Western hemlock leaves are arranged in distinct whorls around the shoots.
Answer: False
Western hemlock leaves are arranged spirally on the shoots but are twisted at their base to lie in two distinct ranks, not in whorls.
The Latin species name 'heterophylla' means 'variable leaves'.
Answer: True
The Latin species name 'heterophylla' translates to 'variable leaves', referring to the diverse appearance of its foliage.
What is the scientific name for the conifer species commonly known as western hemlock?
Answer: *Tsuga heterophylla*
The scientific name for the conifer species commonly known as western hemlock is *Tsuga heterophylla*.
Which botanical authorities are associated with the binomial name *Tsuga heterophylla*?
Answer: Rafinesque and Sarg.
The binomial name *Tsuga heterophylla* is attributed to Rafinesque and Sarg.
Describe the bark characteristics of *Tsuga heterophylla*.
Answer: Brown, thin, and furrowed
The bark of *Tsuga heterophylla* is characterized as brown, thin, and furrowed.
What is a key distinguishing feature of western hemlock at all ages?
Answer: Its pendulous branchlet tips
A key distinguishing feature of western hemlock at all ages is its pendulous, or drooping, branchlet tips.
What is the typical length of western hemlock leaves?
Answer: 5-25 millimeters
Western hemlock leaves are needle-like and typically measure 5–25 millimeters long.
What distinctive feature is found on the underside of western hemlock leaves?
Answer: Two distinctive white bands of stomata
The underside of western hemlock leaves features two distinctive white bands of stomata.
What does the Latin species name 'heterophylla' mean?
Answer: 'Variable leaves'
The Latin species name 'heterophylla' means 'variable leaves'.
Western hemlock typically grows to 50–70 meters tall, with exceptional specimens reaching 83 meters.
Answer: True
Western hemlock typically reaches 50–70 meters in height, with exceptional specimens recorded at 83 meters.
*Tsuga mertensiana*, or mountain hemlock, is generally taller than *Tsuga heterophylla*.
Answer: False
*Tsuga heterophylla* (western hemlock) is the largest species of hemlock, notably taller than *Tsuga mertensiana* (mountain hemlock).
Western hemlock trees typically begin to produce cones after approximately 25 years of age.
Answer: True
Western hemlock trees typically begin producing cones after approximately 25 years of age.
Immature western hemlock cones are typically red, maturing to a dark black color.
Answer: False
Immature western hemlock cones are green, maturing to a gray-brown color, not red and then dark black.
Initial growth of western hemlock seedlings is rapid, with one-year-olds often reaching 50 centimeters tall.
Answer: False
Initial growth of western hemlock seedlings is slow, with one-year-olds typically reaching only 3–5 centimeters tall.
The tallest known specimen of western hemlock is located in Olympic National Park, Washington.
Answer: False
The tallest known specimen of western hemlock is located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California, not Olympic National Park.
Western hemlock is a short-lived species, rarely exceeding 500 years in age.
Answer: False
Western hemlock is a long-lived species, with some trees known to be over 1,200 years old.
What is the typical height range for a western hemlock tree?
Answer: 50-70 meters
Western hemlock trees typically grow to 50–70 meters tall.
What is the exceptional maximum height recorded for a western hemlock specimen?
Answer: 83 meters
Exceptional specimens of western hemlock have been recorded reaching 83 meters in height.
Which species is considered the largest within the *Tsuga* genus?
Answer: *Tsuga heterophylla*
*Tsuga heterophylla* is recognized as the largest species within the *Tsuga* genus.
At approximately what age do western hemlock trees begin to produce cones?
Answer: 25 years
Western hemlock trees typically begin to produce cones after approximately 25 years of age.
What color do western hemlock cones mature to after pollination?
Answer: Gray-brown
Western hemlock cones mature to a gray-brown color 5–7 months after pollination.
What is a characteristic feature of western hemlock seeds?
Answer: They have a slender, pale-brown wing
Western hemlock seeds are characterized by a slender, pale-brown wing.
What is the typical height of a one-year-old western hemlock seedling?
Answer: 3-5 centimeters
One-year-old western hemlock seedlings are typically 3–5 centimeters tall.
Where is the tallest known specimen of western hemlock located?
Answer: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
The tallest known specimen of western hemlock is located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California.
What is the maximum known age for some western hemlock trees?
Answer: Over 1,200 years
Western hemlock is a long-lived species, with some trees known to be over 1,200 years old.
*Tsuga heterophylla* is native to the northwest coast of North America, extending from Alaska down to northern Sonoma County, California.
Answer: True
*Tsuga heterophylla* is native to the northwest coast of North America, with its range extending from the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska to northern Sonoma County, California.
Western hemlock is an early successional species that quickly colonizes disturbed areas after wildfires.
Answer: False
Western hemlock is a climax species in Pacific Northwest forests, typically regenerating under existing canopies and replacing less shade-tolerant conifers, rather than being an early successional species colonizing disturbed areas.
Western hemlock thrives in arid environments with less than 50 centimeters of annual rainfall.
Answer: False
Western hemlock is associated with temperate rainforests, where valleys typically receive at least 80 centimeters of annual rainfall, indicating it thrives in humid, not arid, environments.
Western hemlock is exclusively found at low altitudes, from sea level to 600 meters.
Answer: False
While western hemlock mostly grows at low altitudes, it can be found up to 1,070 meters in western Washington and up to 1,500-1,800 meters in humid inland mountain areas.
*Tsuga heterophylla* has naturalized in parts of Great Britain and New Zealand.
Answer: True
*Tsuga heterophylla* has established self-sustaining populations in parts of Great Britain and New Zealand, where it is considered a naturalized species.
Western hemlock is a shade-intolerant tree that requires full sun for optimal growth.
Answer: False
Western hemlock is a very shade-tolerant tree, with its tolerance matched or exceeded only by Pacific yew and Pacific silver fir among associated species.
Young western hemlock plants typically grow under the canopy of other conifers, waiting for a gap to exploit.
Answer: True
Young western hemlock plants commonly grow under the canopy of other conifers, persisting until a gap allows for their further growth and eventual dominance.
There is conclusive evidence of hybridization between western hemlock and mountain hemlock at higher elevations.
Answer: False
Despite intermingling at higher elevations, there is no conclusive scientific evidence of hybridization between western hemlock and mountain hemlock.
Western hemlock forms ectomycorrhizal associations with several well-known edible fungi, including chanterelles.
Answer: True
Western hemlock forms ectomycorrhizal associations with several edible fungi, including various species of chanterelles.
Western hemlock seedlings are unable to grow on rotting stumps and logs due to a lack of suitable nutrients.
Answer: False
Western hemlock seedlings can associate with wood-decay fungi, enabling them to grow on rotting stumps and logs, which serve as a suitable substrate.
Planting western hemlock along riverbanks can help reduce erosion.
Answer: True
Planting western hemlock on riverbanks can contribute to environmental stability by helping to reduce soil erosion.
What is the northwestern limit of *Tsuga heterophylla*'s native geographical distribution?
Answer: Kenai Peninsula in Alaska
The northwestern limit of *Tsuga heterophylla*'s native geographical distribution is the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska.
In Pacific Northwest forests, what ecological role does western hemlock primarily play?
Answer: Climax species
In Pacific Northwest forests, western hemlock is an integral component and a climax species.
Valleys where western hemlock grows typically receive at least how much rain annually?
Answer: 80 centimeters
Valleys where western hemlock grows typically receive at least 80 centimeters of annual rainfall.
In humid inland mountain areas like the Columbia Mountains, up to what altitude can western hemlock grow?
Answer: 1,500 meters
In humid inland mountain areas like the Columbia Mountains, western hemlock can grow up to 1,500 meters in altitude.
In which regions outside North America has *Tsuga heterophylla* naturalized?
Answer: Great Britain and New Zealand
*Tsuga heterophylla* has naturalized in parts of Great Britain and New Zealand.
Among associated species in the Pacific Northwest, which tree's shade tolerance matches or exceeds western hemlock's?
Answer: Pacific yew
Among associated species in the Pacific Northwest, only Pacific yew and Pacific silver fir match or exceed western hemlock's shade tolerance.
What is the current scientific understanding regarding hybridization between western hemlock and mountain hemlock?
Answer: There is no conclusive evidence of hybridization
There is no conclusive scientific evidence of hybridization between western hemlock and mountain hemlock.
Which type of edible fungi forms ectomycorrhizal associations with western hemlock?
Answer: Chanterelles
Western hemlock forms ectomycorrhizal associations with several edible fungi, including chanterelles.
How does western hemlock's association with wood-decay fungi benefit its seedlings?
Answer: It enables them to grow on rotting stumps and logs
Western hemlock's association with wood-decay fungi enables its seedlings to survive and grow on rotting stumps and logs.
According to the IUCN Red List, *Tsuga heterophylla* is classified as 'Least Concern', indicating it is not currently a threatened species.
Answer: True
The IUCN Red List (version 3.1) classifies *Tsuga heterophylla* as 'Least Concern', indicating it is not a threatened species.
Western hemlock is highly resistant to fire due to its thick bark and deep root system.
Answer: False
Western hemlock is particularly susceptible to fire due to its thin bark and shallow roots, making it not highly resistant.
Older western hemlock forests are generally immune to damage from rot-causing fungi and leaf-consuming insects.
Answer: False
Older western hemlock forests are susceptible to damage from rot-causing fungi, dwarf mistletoe, and leaf-consuming insects.
According to the IUCN Red List, what is the conservation status of *Tsuga heterophylla*?
Answer: Least Concern
The IUCN Red List classifies *Tsuga heterophylla* as 'Least Concern'.
Why is western hemlock particularly susceptible to fire?
Answer: Its thin bark and shallow roots
Western hemlock is particularly susceptible to fire due to its thin bark and shallow roots.
Which of the following is a common threat to older western hemlock forests?
Answer: Dwarf mistletoe
Older western hemlock forests are susceptible to damage from rot-causing fungi, dwarf mistletoe, and leaf-consuming insects.
When cultivated as an ornamental tree, western hemlock requires alkaline soil with high nitrogen content.
Answer: False
For ornamental cultivation, western hemlock requires moist, acidic soil with high organic matter, and high-nitrogen animal manures are generally not recommended.
Western hemlock is cultivated as an ornamental tree only within its native North American habitats.
Answer: False
Western hemlock is cultivated ornamentally not only in its native habitats but also in large gardens in northwest Europe and southern New Zealand.
*Tsuga heterophylla* has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Answer: True
*Tsuga heterophylla* has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its excellence in garden use.
What are the ideal soil conditions for cultivating western hemlock as an ornamental tree?
Answer: Moist, acidic soil with high organic matter
For ornamental cultivation, western hemlock requires moist, acidic soil with a high level of organic matter.
What horticultural award has *Tsuga heterophylla* received?
Answer: Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit
*Tsuga heterophylla* has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Native Alaskans traditionally used western hemlock bark primarily for its sweet sap.
Answer: False
Native Alaskans traditionally collected the edible cambium (inner bark) of western hemlock, not primarily for its sweet sap.
Native American tribes used western hemlock bark extracts to treat conditions such as tuberculosis and rheumatic fever.
Answer: True
Native American tribes used cooked extracts from western hemlock bark to treat various conditions, including tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, and hemorrhage.
Western hemlock bark was traditionally used to construct fishing traps.
Answer: False
Western hemlock bark was traditionally boiled to produce dyes for fishing nets and lines, making them less visible, rather than for constructing fishing traps.
Native Alaskans collected herring eggs from western hemlock roots, which imparted a distinctive taste.
Answer: False
Native Alaskans traditionally collected herring eggs from western hemlock boughs submerged in water, not from its roots.
New-growth needles of western hemlock are toxic and should not be consumed.
Answer: False
Tender new-growth needles of western hemlock are rich in vitamin C and can be consumed directly or brewed into a tea.
Western hemlock is the state tree of Washington.
Answer: True
Western hemlock holds cultural significance as it has been designated the state tree of Washington.
The bark of western hemlock has long served as a source of tannin for tanning leather.
Answer: True
Western hemlock bark has historically and continues to be a source of tannin, used in leather tanning.
Western hemlock was highly valued as a lumber source since the late 1800s.
Answer: False
Until the early 1920s, western hemlock was largely disregarded as a lumber source due to a mistaken perception of its quality.
Western hemlock wood is primarily used for heavy construction beams due to its exceptional hardness.
Answer: False
Western hemlock is utilized as softwood timber for paper production, doors, joinery, and furniture, and its fibers for rayon and plastics, not primarily for heavy construction beams due to exceptional hardness.