Just noticed today that our hemlock has patches of yellowing needles, all within the same height In the tree, interestingly.

It's been quite happy in its location, but it's been extraordinarily dry this year in the western Chicago suburbs. Any thoughts on what's going on?

All of these brown needles seem to me to be normal. Little branch tips die back all the time on evergreens.
Make sure they do not ever dry out too much. That is a good way to go for everything you grow.

Do you fertilize these guys at all? On my property in the past, I have always included fertilizing my evergreens as I fertilize my garden beds. I would fertilize twice a year with Miracle Grow which I think was 10-30-20. It was watered in by using a dispenser on the end of a garden hose. Those were the early April and mid June feedings. My mid May feeding was with Mir Acid which was 30-10-10. Evergreens can use a little extra nitrogen in my opinion.
Good luck.

Hemlocks are special in that they don't need a lot of fertilizer. Once a year with something balanced is enough. Never is also enough.

At what height are the yellow patches? How deep was the snow last winter? I have a neighbor from the midwest. She told me a story about how her trees always got dead spots 5 ft off the ground. She eventually figured out, during the winter, when there was snow on the ground, it was exactly the level her dog would hit on his daily jaunts around the yard.

Considering how the rest of the branches look, I don't think you have a problem.

Hey Bill -

Good info, thank you. Regarding the common yellow tips, I assumed as much, though I've not seen any at all on this tree that I can recall. Regardless, your thoughts and that of others here give me comfort.

As for fertilizer, not very sophisticated....I put those evergreen spikes in 2x / year, though I'm not sure they improve acidity. Also gave the tree a good long soak today so it should be happy.

Thank you again for your guidance!

BigBill said:All of these brown needles seem to me to be normal. Little branch tips die back all the time on evergreens.
Make sure they do not ever dry out too much. That is a good way to go for everything you grow.

Do you fertilize these guys at all? On my property in the past, I have always included fertilizing my evergreens as I fertilize my garden beds. I would fertilize twice a year with Miracle Grow which I think was 10-30-20. It was watered in by using a dispenser on the end of a garden hose. Those were the early April and mid June feedings. My mid May feeding was with Mir Acid which was 30-10-10. Evergreens can use a little extra nitrogen in my opinion.
Good luck.