Tsuga Mertensiana

Tsuga Mertensiana, a photo by wild trees on Flickr.
There is something very special about Tsuga mertensiana (mountain hemlock).  Of course, it's probably fare to say that I would say there is something special about nearly every tree, but as a species, Tsuga m. is especially striking.  They grow in some of most weather exposed places, and yet attain relatively large sizes given how slowly they grow.  Standing as they often do on cliffs and deep ravines, they are ravaged by wind, buried in snow and brushed by avalanche.  To me, this gives them each a different personality, there's something different about each one you meet.  This particular fellow is just protected from the windward side of this ridge, but the broken top is evidence of the power of the winter wind.  I look forward to visiting here again soon, in late summer when the berries are ripe and evidence of the many feet of snow that surely cover this slope has melted.