{"id":"tsuga-mertensiana","license":"CC-BY-4.0","data":{"scientificName":"Tsuga mertensiana","commonNames":["Hemlock, mountain"],"taxonRank":"species","acceptedName":"Tsuga mertensiana","family":"Pinaceae","ids":{"usdaSymbol":"TSME","gbifKey":2687201},"usdaZoneMin":"5a","zoneSource":"usda-plants","states":["AK","CA","ID","MT","NV","OR","WA"],"rangeAssertions":[{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["AK"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 70 — Subarctic America","TDWG level 3 ASK — Alaska"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["CA"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 76 — Southwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 CAL — California"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["ID"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 73 — Northwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 IDA — Idaho"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["MT"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 73 — Northwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 MNT — Montana"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["NV"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 76 — Southwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 NEV — Nevada"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["OR"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 73 — Northwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 ORE — Oregon"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["WA"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 73 — Northwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 WAS — Washington"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z"}],"hardinessAssertions":[{"minimum":"5a","interpretation":"minimum-threshold","precision":"half-zone","zoneMapping":"derived-containing-band","sourceMeasurement":{"kind":"minimum-temperature","value":-18,"unit":"degrees-fahrenheit"},"applicability":"applicable","source":"usda-plants-characteristics","sourceRecordId":"TSME","sourceTaxon":"Tsuga mertensiana","taxonMatch":"source-identifier","sourcePlacement":"PlantCharacteristics record 15608, Temperature, Minimum (°F)","sourceVersion":"PLANTS Help Document 2022; characteristics cache retrieved 2026-08-23","asOf":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z"}],"plantForm":"tree","matureHeightFt":125,"waterNeed":"high","evidence":[{"source":"nv-forestry-tahoe-landscaping-guide","verdict":"avoid","verdictRaw":"high — Hemlock, mountain — Tsuga mertensiana","claims":"Table 1's Fire Hazard column prints “high” for this taxon. The guide calls the rating a rough estimate of potential flammability, not a result of scientific trials. Its footnote says plants that turn brown often become high fire hazards and tells readers to mow grasses and forbs when they begin to turn brown.","plantPart":"whole-plant","sourcePlacement":{"value":"Fire Hazard column: high","scheme":"tahoe-guide-2006"},"edition":"Bulletin 06-01 (2006)","url":"https://forestry.nv.gov/uploads/missions/20210304_AMT_2006_Home_Landscaping_Guide_Lake_Tahoe.pdf","documentDate":"2006-01-01T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"calorific value (kcal/kg): 974.49","score":{"value":974.49,"scale":"FLAMITS — calorific value (kcal/kg)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 13471; Combustibility measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site vanWagtendonk1998-1; sampling ND. Primary study vanWagtendonk1998: Van Wagdendonk, J., Sydoriak, W. M., & Benedict, J. M. (1998). Heat content variation of Sierra Nevada conifers. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 8, 147-158.","plantPart":"leaf","original":"vanWagtendonk1998","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"calorific value (kcal/kg): 527.85","score":{"value":527.85,"scale":"FLAMITS — calorific value (kcal/kg)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 13472; Combustibility measurement; plant part litter; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site vanWagtendonk1998-1; sampling ND. Primary study vanWagtendonk1998: Van Wagdendonk, J., Sydoriak, W. M., & Benedict, J. M. (1998). Heat content variation of Sierra Nevada conifers. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 8, 147-158.","plantPart":"litter","original":"vanWagtendonk1998","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"calorific value (kcal/kg): 5032.48","score":{"value":5032.48,"scale":"FLAMITS — calorific value (kcal/kg)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 13473; Combustibility measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site vanWagtendonk1998-1; sampling ND. Primary study vanWagtendonk1998: Van Wagdendonk, J., Sydoriak, W. M., & Benedict, J. M. (1998). Heat content variation of Sierra Nevada conifers. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 8, 147-158.","plantPart":"leaf","original":"vanWagtendonk1998","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"calorific value (kcal/kg): 4910.67","score":{"value":4910.67,"scale":"FLAMITS — calorific value (kcal/kg)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 13474; Combustibility measurement; plant part litter; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site vanWagtendonk1998-1; sampling ND. Primary study vanWagtendonk1998: Van Wagdendonk, J., Sydoriak, W. M., & Benedict, J. M. (1998). Heat content variation of Sierra Nevada conifers. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 8, 147-158.","plantPart":"litter","original":"vanWagtendonk1998","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"calorific value (kcal/kg): 4941.72","score":{"value":4941.72,"scale":"FLAMITS — calorific value (kcal/kg)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 13547; Combustibility measurement; plant part wood; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site vanWagtendonk1998-1; sampling ND. Primary study vanWagtendonk1998: Van Wagdendonk, J., Sydoriak, W. M., & Benedict, J. M. (1998). Heat content variation of Sierra Nevada conifers. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 8, 147-158.","original":"vanWagtendonk1998","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"calorific value (kcal/kg): 4815.13","score":{"value":4815.13,"scale":"FLAMITS — calorific value (kcal/kg)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 13548; Combustibility measurement; plant part wood; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site vanWagtendonk1998-1; sampling ND. Primary study vanWagtendonk1998: Van Wagdendonk, J., Sydoriak, W. M., & Benedict, J. M. (1998). Heat content variation of Sierra Nevada conifers. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 8, 147-158.","original":"vanWagtendonk1998","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"calorific value (kcal/kg): 5025.32","score":{"value":5025.32,"scale":"FLAMITS — calorific value (kcal/kg)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 13549; Combustibility measurement; plant part wood; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site vanWagtendonk1998-1; sampling ND. Primary study vanWagtendonk1998: Van Wagdendonk, J., Sydoriak, W. M., & Benedict, J. M. (1998). Heat content variation of Sierra Nevada conifers. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 8, 147-158.","original":"vanWagtendonk1998","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"calorific value (kcal/kg): 4853.35","score":{"value":4853.35,"scale":"FLAMITS — calorific value (kcal/kg)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 13550; Combustibility measurement; plant part wood; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site vanWagtendonk1998-1; sampling ND. Primary study vanWagtendonk1998: Van Wagdendonk, J., Sydoriak, W. M., & Benedict, J. M. (1998). Heat content variation of Sierra Nevada conifers. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 8, 147-158.","original":"vanWagtendonk1998","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"maximum flame temperature (°C): 62.252","score":{"value":62.252,"scale":"FLAMITS — maximum flame temperature (°C)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 15581; Combustibility measurement; plant part leaves; fuel all; predrying yes; device burning bench; site Zhang2022-1; sampling january and march 2011. Primary study Zhang2022: Zhang, S., Cornwell, W. K., Zhao, W., van Logtestijn, R. S., Krab, E. J., Aerts, R., & Cornelissen, J. H. (2022). Experimental evidence that leaf litter decomposability and flammability are decoupled across gymnosperm species. Journal of Ecology, 111, 761-772.","plantPart":"leaf","original":"Zhang2022","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"flaming duration (s): 2.4","score":{"value":2.4,"scale":"FLAMITS — flaming duration (s)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 15622; Sustainability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel all; predrying yes; device burning bench; site Zhang2022-1; sampling january and march 2011. Primary study Zhang2022: Zhang, S., Cornwell, W. K., Zhao, W., van Logtestijn, R. S., Krab, E. J., Aerts, R., & Cornelissen, J. H. (2022). Experimental evidence that leaf litter decomposability and flammability are decoupled across gymnosperm species. Journal of Ecology, 111, 761-772.","plantPart":"leaf","original":"Zhang2022","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"}],"flammabilityClass":"mixed-evidence","ratingReason":"limited-evidence","recommendation":"candidate","author":"grayson-graham","reviewStatus":"draft","lastVerified":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},"localAssessmentInputs":{"stateDistribution":["AK","CA","ID","MT","NV","OR","WA"],"nativeStates":[],"rangeAssertions":[{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["AK"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 70 — Subarctic America","TDWG level 3 ASK — Alaska"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["CA"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 76 — Southwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 CAL — California"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["ID"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 73 — Northwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 IDA — Idaho"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["MT"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 73 — Northwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 MNT — Montana"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["NV"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 76 — Southwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 NEV — Nevada"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["OR"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 73 — Northwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 ORE — Oregon"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"},{"relation":"native","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["WA"],"regions":["TDWG level 1 7 — NORTHERN AMERICA","TDWG level 2 73 — Northwestern U.S.A.","TDWG level 3 WAS — Washington"]},"occurrenceStatus":"present","presenceStatus":"extant","source":"wcvp-v16","sourceVersion":"16","asOf":"2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"},{"relation":"documented-occurrence","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["AK","CA","ID","MT","NV","OR","WA"]},"provenance":"legacy-field"}],"usdaZoneMin":"5a","usdaZoneMax":null,"hardinessAssertions":[{"minimum":"5a","interpretation":"minimum-threshold","precision":"half-zone","zoneMapping":"derived-containing-band","sourceMeasurement":{"kind":"minimum-temperature","value":-18,"unit":"degrees-fahrenheit"},"applicability":"applicable","source":"usda-plants-characteristics","sourceRecordId":"TSME","sourceTaxon":"Tsuga mertensiana","taxonMatch":"source-identifier","sourcePlacement":"PlantCharacteristics record 15608, Temperature, Minimum (°F)","sourceVersion":"PLANTS Help Document 2022; characteristics cache retrieved 2026-08-23","asOf":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"}],"hardinessSelection":{"status":"selected","assertion":{"minimum":"5a","interpretation":"minimum-threshold","precision":"half-zone","zoneMapping":"derived-containing-band","sourceMeasurement":{"kind":"minimum-temperature","value":-18,"unit":"degrees-fahrenheit"},"applicability":"applicable","source":"usda-plants-characteristics","sourceRecordId":"TSME","sourceTaxon":"Tsuga mertensiana","taxonMatch":"source-identifier","sourcePlacement":"PlantCharacteristics record 15608, Temperature, Minimum (°F)","sourceVersion":"PLANTS Help Document 2022; characteristics cache retrieved 2026-08-23","asOf":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"},"assertions":[{"minimum":"5a","interpretation":"minimum-threshold","precision":"half-zone","zoneMapping":"derived-containing-band","sourceMeasurement":{"kind":"minimum-temperature","value":-18,"unit":"degrees-fahrenheit"},"applicability":"applicable","source":"usda-plants-characteristics","sourceRecordId":"TSME","sourceTaxon":"Tsuga mertensiana","taxonMatch":"source-identifier","sourcePlacement":"PlantCharacteristics record 15608, Temperature, Minimum (°F)","sourceVersion":"PLANTS Help Document 2022; characteristics cache retrieved 2026-08-23","asOf":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"}]},"invasiveIn":[],"statusAssertions":[],"fireEvidenceClass":"mixed-evidence","recommendation":"candidate","fireSourceScopes":[{"source":"nv-forestry-tahoe-landscaping-guide","sourceName":"Home Landscaping Guide for Lake Tahoe and Vicinity (Ed. Bulletin 06-01)","sourceUrl":"https://forestry.nv.gov/uploads/missions/20210304_AMT_2006_Home_Landscaping_Guide_Lake_Tahoe.pdf","geography":{"grain":"aggregate-region","stateCodes":["CA","NV"],"regions":["Lake Tahoe Basin"]},"completeness":"partial","reviewStatus":"reviewed","scope":"Nevada Division of Forestry and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension publish Bulletin 06-01 for the Lake Tahoe Basin and vicinity. FireApproved publishes 83 exact rated owners as basin context across Nevada and California. Rough estimates are not statewide or site ratings.","sourceVersion":"Nevada-Extension-Bulletin-06-01-2006","asOf":"2006-01-01T00:00:00.000Z"}],"firePerformanceConditions":[],"maintenanceAssertions":[],"maintenanceConditions":null,"regulatoryReviews":{},"seedReviews":{}},"legacyCompatibilityProjection":{"nativeStates":["AK","CA","ID","MT","NV","OR","WA"],"invasiveIn":[],"usdaZoneMin":"5a"},"localAssessmentContract":"Compare each dimension separately. State noxious-weed seed designations are material-scoped and never become non-seed plant restrictions, ecological-invasive findings, nursery restrictions, alternatives, product evidence, or fire votes. Introduced/established context is not an invasive warning. Minimum-only hardiness has no inferred maximum; canonical source-temperature conversion is validated and contradictory applicable rows project no primary zone. L48 context applies only to conterminous states and is never exact-state status. Fire-performance conditions are not maintenance advice. FEIS fire-ecology context does not vote in the plant classification. Absence of a status row is not regulatory clearance."}