The genera Abies (fir), Larix (larch), and Tsuga (hemlock) on Mount Desert Island are each represented by one species, all of which are native to the island.

Abies balsamea (balsam fir) can be seen {find good location} and on the summit of Cadillac Mountain, on the right (as you arrive at the top) shortly beyond the gift shop. Many people think of balsam fir as having all the leaves of a branch laying in one plane (see image at far left), and that's generally true of trees that grow in more or less shaded areas of low elevation. However, the leaves of balsam fir trees that grow in exposed, higher elevation sites (such as on top of Cadillac Mountain; see image at near left) often curve noticeably and can be mistaken for those of spruce if one does not look carefully. The abaxial (lower) surface of A. balsamea leaves is noticeably white (see image at far left). The branching pattern of balsam fir twigs is quite symmetrical (see image at far left), unlike that of eastern hemlock (see images below).

Larix laricina (larch, hackmatack, or tamarack), a species with fascicles of often eight or more leaves (see image of emerging leaves at near right), is Maine's only deciduous conifer; that is, larch loses all of its leaves each fall. Many larch grow along Route 102A between Wonderland and Ship Harbor, particularly the north side of the road (i.e., the side away from the ocean).

Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) is frequent along the appropriately named Hemlock Trail, which begins at the end of the Sieur de Monts parking lot that is furthest from the nature center. A distinctive feature of T. canadensis is the presence of leaves along the upper side of the twig (see image at far left). The abaxial (lower) surface of its leaves (see image at near left), like that of Abies balsamea leaves, is conspicuously white.