snow readily. Mountain hemlock is tolerant of shade and other forms of competition. It is more tolerant than all of its associates except Pacific silver fir, western hemlock, and Alaska cedar. Mountain hemlock is considered a minor climax species on most of its habitats, and pioneers on glacial moraines in British Columbia and Alaska. In many communities of the mountain hemlock forest in British Columbia and Washington and northern Oregon, Pacific silver fir is a major climax species. Alaska cedar, western redcedar, and western hemlock are climax associates on some sites. Mountain hemlock is more commonly the major climax species in the mountain hemlock zone south of central Oregon where Pacific silver fir does not occur. Mountain hemlock often succeeds lodgepole pine or subalpine fir when these species pioneer on drier sites. It also tends to replace Engelmann spruce when the two species occur together, possibly because hemlock is better able to withstand the allelopathic effects of spruce than are other associated species. The species is attacked by the root rot Phellinus weirii. Stands lost to fire can be populated by lodgepole pine, which is in turn succeeded by mountain hemlock. Uses Native Americans used the species less often than western hemlock, but specifically used mountain hemlock boughs as beds and bathing brushes. Since the mid-20th century, the species has been used for lumber, often mixed with western hemlock. Cultivation Outside of its native range, mountain hemlock is grown as an ornamental tree. It is planted as a specimen tree in native plant landscapes in California, and particularly in gardens in northern Great Britain and Scandinavia, where it is appreciated for its blue–green color and tolerance of severe weather. Cultivation is limited by the very slow growth of young plants and its susceptibility to urban air pollution. Several cultivars have been selected, mainly for intensely glaucous foliage color including: 'Blue Star' 'Glauca'<ref ‘Bump’s Blue’ name=rushforthc>Rushforth, K. (1987). Conifers. Helm .</ref> References Further reading External links Mountain Hemlock from "An Appreciation," by Harriet Monroe, Sierra Club Bulletin, 1916. California Legacy Project. Interactive Distribution Map of Tsuga mertensiana mertensiana Flora of Idaho Flora of Montana Flora of Nevada Garden plants of North America Least concern flora of the United States Ornamental trees Trees of Alaska Trees of British Columbia