Eastern or Western hemlock

pdqdl · Nov 9, 2009

I am trying to positively ID this tree for a customer. It is definitely a hemlock, but I don't know whether it is Eastern or Western. (pictures match, tiny cones match description, two white bands on underside of needles, etc)

I am inclined to think that it is an "Eastern" since they seem to be a preferred ornamental planting that comes closer to matching our climate. Unfortunately, I haven't found any differential characteristics between the two except for mature sizes, so I just can't tell. This tree is only 45' tall.

No pics yet. Sorry.

Any advice you can give will be welcome.

ntg84 · Nov 9, 2009

Dirr says that the Western Hemlock will have longer and tinner needles. 3/4" long and1/16" thick (these are extremes)

pdqdl · Nov 9, 2009

That might be a problem. I would need a tree of both varieties so that I could compare. 'Cause I only have one, I can't compare, can I?

According to my research, they both have two prominently different lengths of needles present on the same twig, which is certainly true for this tree. I didn't even notice it until I read about it, then looked at my samples again.

Greener · Nov 14, 2009

Hemlock id

pdqdl said:
I am trying to positively ID this tree for a customer. It is definitely a hemlock, but I don't know whether it is Eastern or Western. (pictures match, tiny cones match description, two white bands on underside of needles, etc)

I am inclined to think that it is an "Eastern" since they seem to be a preferred ornamental planting that comes closer to matching our climate. Unfortunately, I haven't found any differential characteristics between the two except for mature sizes, so I just can't tell. This tree is only 45' tall.

No pics yet. Sorry.

Any advice you can give will be welcome.

You probably have your answer but if you send a photo I can tell you with certainty whether it is a western hemlock. Hard to tell without it.