portant groves with Amabilis fir and Menzies spruce over the 
humid area of the Pacific slope. 
The Western hemlock is an important forest tree both for 
lumber and tanbark. Its commercial value has only of late 
years been appreciated. Owing to a prejudice, founded upon 
the inferior quality of its eastern namesake, it has been greatly 
underrated. 
Vertical grained flooring of hemlock is even superior to 
the Douglas fir. The tanbark is also superior to the eastern 
article. 
Hemlock is a slow grower, but reaches occasionally as 
large as eight feet in diameter ; usually from three to four feet 
in diameter, with height of about 150 feet. Trees two feet in 
diameter are about 200 years old, and the largest trees are 
seven or eight hundred years old. 
It is not very particular as regards the quality of soil, 
thriving on poor soils so long as there is sufficient humidity. 
It grows best where there is abundant rainfall upon a fairly 
well-drained moist soil ; moisture being* one of its most essen- 
tial requirements. Where it grows on exposed ground, the 
butt log will often sink in salt water, and will be very tough 
and gnarly. 
Hemlock grows generally as a subordinate tree all over 
Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands, and on the 
mainland coast to Alaska. 
Along the east coast of Vancouver Island hemlock is a 
common tree in the Douglas fir forest ; and on account of its 
smaller size, is commonly used for making skid roads and 
landings by the loggers ; formerly all hemlock was left in the 
woods to be later destroyed by fire ; but the larger trees are 
now being taken out by the logger. 
On the west coast of Vancouver Island hemlock occurs in 
abundance associated with Red cedar, Amabilis fir, and 
Menzies spruce. 
Hemlock occurs sparingly over scattered areas on the 
mountain slopes and more humid parts of the southern interior 
of British Columbia. 
