Photographer & Copyright

© Laura Costello

Photo Source

CC BY 4.0

Inclusion in Plant ID / Comparison Guides

This photo is featured in 2 plant ID/comparison guides:

collage of Eastern Hemlock and Balsam Fir

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) vs. Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

Updated July 28th, 2020

These species are easily distinguished, but are sometimes confused by people inexperienced in conifer identification, especially when comparing hemlocks to firs growing in shade, as the needle arrangement of such firs is flatter along the twig and superficially looks much like hemlock.

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collage of Eastern Hemlock and Norway Spruce

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) vs. Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

Updated December 29th, 2019

Eastern hemlock and Norway spruce are easy to distinguish up-close, but are sometimes confused from a distance because both have dark green needles and drooping branches and foliage; both are widely used in landscaping, and are highly shade-tolerant.

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