Our local forests and neighborhoods in Snohomish County are full of towering evergreens and striking broadleaf trees. If you’re curious about what you’re seeing around your home, this guide to six more trees common to Western Washington and how to ID them will help. At Snohomish Tree Company, we often assist clients with tree identification, whether for maintenance, removal, or just curiosity about what’s growing on their land.
1. Bigleaf Maple
One of the most recognizable trees in the region, Bigleaf Maples live up to their name with leaves that can stretch over a foot wide. Look for five lobed leaves with rough edges and moss covered bark. They’re found in moist areas across Monroe, Granite Falls, and Gold Bar, often growing alongside creeks and shaded trails.
2. Red Alder
This fast growing hardwood thrives in disturbed or wet soils and is often one of the first trees to recolonize after land clearing. It has smooth gray bark, serrated oval leaves, and often grows in clusters. You’ll find Red Alders along the edges of forested roads and ditches in places like Marysville, Snohomish, and North Lakewood.
3. Sitka Spruce
Sitka Spruce has a bluish tint to its needles and flaky gray bark. The cones are narrow and light brown with thin, papery scales. Though more common closer to the coast, you’ll spot mature Sitka Spruce in cooler, wetter areas of Darrington, Lake Stevens, and Mukilteo. This tree can live for hundreds of years and reach massive heights.
4. Cascara
Often overlooked due to its small size, Cascara is a native deciduous tree with dark green, oval shaped leaves and finely toothed edges. The bark was traditionally used for medicinal purposes. It tends to grow in shaded understories across Everett, Edmonds, and Mill Creek and often tops out under thirty feet tall.
5. Pacific Yew
A shade tolerant evergreen, Pacific Yews have flat, dark green needles and thin reddish bark that peels in strips. Unlike fir or spruce, their needles grow individually along the twig. They produce small red berries in fall. You’ll find Pacific Yews tucked into lowland forests throughout Arlington, Silvana, and Mountlake Terrace.
6. Oregon White Oak
One of the only native oaks in Western Washington, this tree features thick, lobed leaves and a wide spreading canopy. It prefers dry, rocky soils and grows slowly. Found more commonly in open meadows and near older homesteads in Bothell, Monroe, and south Snohomish County, these trees provide essential wildlife habitat.
Why Tree ID Matters
Identifying tree species is more than just interesting — it helps you know how to properly maintain, prune, or remove trees when needed. Some species grow rapidly and need regular pruning, while others have protected status or are more vulnerable to pests and disease.
Need Help Identifying Trees on Your Property
If you’re unsure what’s growing in your yard or forested land, we can help. Our expert team at Snohomish Tree Company offers evaluations and recommendations for trees of all sizes. Whether you’re dealing with an invasive species, planning a project, or preparing for storm season, we’ll help you identify what matters most.
Additional Services We Offer
- Tree Pruning to promote healthy growth and structure
- View Clearing to open up overgrown properties
- Forest Thinning for fire prevention and light management
- Hazardous Tree Removal for compromised or failing trees
- Correcting Leaning Trees and stabilizing root zones
Request a Tree Evaluation
We proudly serve homeowners and property managers in Snohomish, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Arlington, and surrounding cities. If you want help identifying a tree or determining its health, contact us or request a free estimate.
At Snohomish Tree Company, we’re happy to help you recognize six more trees common to Western Washington and how to ID them so you can better understand and care for the trees on your land in Snohomish County.
