Looks like a Hemlock but sweet pic!

You're probably right, thank you!

Yeah the bark looks like hemlock but there's probably sitka spruces all over in that grove.

Oh yeah there were spruces everywhere, I assumed it was a spruce because it had funky shaped branches, something I see a lot in spruce trees, but hemlocks can be funky too if they want.

Western Hemlock! They are prone to get mistletoe infection on their branches which creates the funky witch's broom growth. Beautiful pic

Oh wow TIL. I knew mistletoe was a parasite but I didn't know there was one that effects hemlocks and that's what makes those funky branches. I should check the hemlock in my yard and see if it has mistletoe.. Thank you!

Fun fact: Out on the Olympic coast the moss and ferns on the tops of branches are their very own micro-ecosystem with unique flora and fauna.
Same with the ledges on cliffs in the mountains. The falcon nests, mosses, plants, and insects are all very unique. They’re up high and relatively safe compared to being on the ground.

Yes! I grew up outside and my family has always been outdoorspeople so I've gotten to see a lot of different habitats in WA and learn about them. I wish that I wasn't terrified of climbing things so I could go up there and see them (of course that would damage the moss and plants anyways so it's for the best)

While it is parasitic, I don't think it's necessarily bad or hurt the tree. Doesn't make good timber but they are actually quite good for habit:) birds and other species (like the ferns here) are taking advantage of the platform being created. More common in older trees for sure

I'm always trying to explain to people that every kind of parasite is important and is fulfilling an ecological niche and wasn't just put on earth to make life harder. I mean, ticks, fleas, and mosquitos suck but they're important!

Mushrooms are one of my special interests and I see that a lot when talking to people who don't know much about them. Granted some mushrooms do attack trees but even that is important, fallen trees and snags provide important habitat to so many other species and recycle nutrients back into the forest.

It is awesome to learn we have a type of mistletoe in these parts though, I'll have to keep an eye out for it so I can get a closer look.

Exactly! I am on Kitsap peninsula too and pick mushrooms. Great to find somebody else out there appreciating nature!

Heck yeah! If I'm not hanging with my chickens I'm sitting in the moss looking at tiny mushrooms.

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Cool.

I find forest photography to be very tough. Sometimes the moss, ferns, branches, etc...will catch my eye, but getting a good photo is hard for me.

Lots of practice! What do you feel makes it hard for you to get the photo you're envisioning?

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It surprised me too! There were plenty of licorice ferns and leathery polypodys but these really caught my eye

This is the most PNW photo to ever exist

I grew up in a forest much like the one pictured, about twenty minutes from the coast and the boarder.

I'm kind of confused by this comment, because my home is SURROUNDED by sword ferns. I just googled licorice fern, and while it looks similar, it's not much more similar than any of the other dozens of fern species.

Is it common for people to make this mistake?

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TIL! Very cool! Admittedly, I can't recall any trees around my house that have ferns growing in them, so I guess that's why I wasn't aware:)

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Have seen them growing on Doug Firs ESE of Seattle where I grew up! Its amazing isn’t it!

My non PNW-native husband visited my home with me recently, and he asked me what he could do about the stinging nettle he got on his hands.

I was SO happy to finally use that random piece of knowledge that I haven't used in like seven years hahaha. Ferns really are cool! Especially sword ferns, in my opinion.

I'm used to seeing licorice ferns on trees but not sword ferns! They're not normally epiphytic but life, uh, finds a way! I haven't seen those one in particular sadly but they sound amazing.

It will eventually kill the tree above the point where the mistletoe hits the bole.

Mother Nature is pretty amazing for sure:)

This is some r/plantsaremetal material right here.