Comparison of the condition ratings of the 1,905 eastern hemlocks [with dbh’s greater than 5 cm (2 in.)] growing on Hemlock Hill at the Arnold Arboretum between 1998 and 2002. Condition ratings were performed both years by the same staff members.
| Year sampled | Excellent* | Good | Fair | Poor | Dead or removed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 249 | 1,406 | 163 | 87 | —— |
| 2002 | 10 | 68 | 422 | 1,142 | 263 |
↵* Excellent = outstanding specimen; good = healthy specimen, no evidence of disease or physical damage; fair = specimen in decline, evidence of disease or physical damage; poor = specimen in poor condition, more dead branches than living.