From southwest Oregon to southeast Alaska and the Pacific Ocean to the Cascade Range, the Pacific coast old-growth forest is a unique ecosystem dominated by Douglas firs, western hemlocks and sitka spruce ranging in age up to 750 years old.

Dozens of varieties of conifers thrive in the Pacific Northwest, many endemic. Its old-growth forest is unique because of the size and age of its trees and the climate. The area is home to some of the few remaining temperate rainforests in the world – along with Chile, it is a global center of forest-based industry.

Although some have been transplanted here, 14 conifer species grow wild only in California and lower Oregon, including the redwood – the world’s tallest tree; the giant sequoia – the world’s most massive tree; and the Great Basin bristlecone pine – the world’s longest-living tree. A redwood typically reaches 300 feet in height and 16 feet in diameter, oftentimes larger. Renowned for long life, the oldest recorded age of a redwood is 2,200 years.

Visit the Arboretum’s redwood, Sequoiadendron giganteum ‘Wellingtonia,’ near the back edge of the Alpine Garden.

Visit LakeWildernessArboretum.org, email info@lakewildernessarboretum.org or call 253-293-5103 to volunteer, donate or become a member.