Forest Park is located within what is known as the Western Hemlock zone. In its natural, undisturbed condition, this zone is populated by three primary tree species: Douglas-fir, western hemlock and western red cedar. To a lesser degree, grand fir, black cottonwood, red alder, bigleaf maple, madrone and western yew trees also occur throughout the landscape.

Shrubs are well developed, including: sword fern, salal, Oregon grape, lady fern, red huckleberry, vine maple, and western hazel are common and indicative species. Predominant wildflowers in this zone include wild ginger, inside-out flower, Hooker's fairy bells, vanilla leaf, evergreen violet, and trillium.

Forest Park remains in a semi-natural condition and has maintained all of the western hemlock zone's naturally evolved, characteristic plants. However, one change is significant today. Instead of being dominated by evergreen trees, the park is clothed with a preponderence of red alder and bigleaf maple trees. Primarily due to extensive logging, evergreen trees have declined appreciably while hardwood species have proliferated.

Relative Abundance of Habitat in Forest Park