• Moist woodland soils
• Colder climates

• Pyramid-shaped evergreen

• Flat, dull needles occur in a flattened spray
  
• Unlike Eastern Hemlock, no inverse needles occur on stem
• Whitened beneath
  
• Twigs are smooth after needles are removed, in contrast to rough stems of Eastern Hemlock
  

• Cones are 1-3" long and stand upright, in contrast to the hanging cones of an Eastern Hemlock
  
• After cones ripen in late autumn they fall apart
  

The needle-covered boughs provide excellent waterproof shelter when used as a roof on a lean-to. This softwood burns quickly and brightly making it ideal for heat and quick cooking. However, do not depend on fir branches to last until the s'mores; the wood will quickly burn out leaving only ashes rather than smoldering embers.