Washington Native Trees
The state of Washington is one of the rainiest states in the country, where different types of trees thrive. Because of this, Washington's trees are a huge part of the state's landscape.
-
Types
-
Washington state is home to at least four varieties of maple tree, as well as multiple types of alder and fir tree. Other common natives are the Pacific dogwood, tamarack and bitter cherry trees.
Geography
-
Washington is at the northwestern tip of the continental United States. The state's many forests and mountain ranges provide a great living environment for many native trees and plant species.
-
The Washington Natural Heritage Program
-
The Washington Natural Heritage Program was created in 1981 by Washington state legislature in order to protect and preserve rare and endangered plants in Washington. The program also helps decide which areas become Natural Area Preserves and Natural Resources Conservation Areas.
Benefits
-
The state of Washington derives much of its economy from the foresting industry. Due to the natural beauty the trees help create, Washington is also a common tourist destination for nature-lovers.
Fun Fact
-
Along with it's neighboring state, Oregon, Washington is one of the leading producers of Christmas evergreen trees. According to Washington State University, the state had over 50,000 acres dedicated to Christmas tree growth in 1997.
-
References
- Photo Credit Maple image by bachus from Fotolia.com