PPDL Picture of the Week
January 11, 2016
Distinguishing
Hemlock from Yew
Rosie Lerner, Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, Purdue University
It
is easy to confuse Hemlock (Tsuga spp.) and Yew (Taxus spp.)
unless you can see the overall plant habit or have them both side by side.
Further confusing them is that both species may be pruned into hedges or
other shapes that obscure the natural plant habits.
Hemlock
has short needles, 1/4 - 3/4" long, green above and distinctly whitish
silver below due to prominent white stomatal bands. Cones are 1/2 -
1" long, ovoid, and pendulous.
Yew
has a slightly longer and wider needle -about 1/2 - 1 1/4" long, dark
green above and light green below, overall coarser texture compared to hemlock.
Cones look like berries, the brown seeds are covered by a fleshy red aril
(seedcoat).