Dear Ronald,

From what you have indicated in your message, and from the picture you sent indicating your hemlock’s needle loss, it could be hemlock woolly adelgid disease.

Your best bet to confirm the true condition, is to consider hiring a certified arborist to come on site and assess your tree. Determining how to treat hemlock needle loss is a specialty of arboriculture. On the ISA website, arborists with the designation of “risk assessment” is a specialty that you need. The website to search for these arborists is www.treesaregood.org.

The attached link provides additional information on hemlock woolly adelgid.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/how_to_treat_hemlock_trees_for_hemlock_woolly_adelgid

The second link is on hemlock diseases. https://extension.psu.edu/hemlock-diseases

Thank you for your question! Therese N. Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

You may also contact the toll free MSU Extension lawn and garden hotline at <personal data hidden> with your gardening questions or visit www.migarden.msu.edu for Smart Gardening resources.