Trees and Forests – Tree TypesScience 6

Tree Types

There are many thousands of different kinds of trees but all true trees are separated into two (2) basic classifications: Coniferous trees which are also

known as “evergreens” or “softwoods”

Broadleaved trees which are also known as “deciduous” or “hardwoods”.

NOTE: “hardwoods” are flowering plants and the “softwoods” are conebearers.

Coniferous Trees

Includes the pines, firs and other evergreens that usually have narrow needles instead of broadleaves.

The term “evergreen” comes from the fact that the needles appear not to turn brown and fall to the ground at the approach of winter.

The evergreens do shed their needles however, they do it so slowly that there are always green needles on the trees. (one species of needleleaf tree is exceptional. The needles of the larch tree turn golden-orange and drop off in the fall.)

Coniferous Trees

Conifers (from the Latin word meaning “cone-bearing”) have their reproductive structures in male and female cones.

Seeds are loosely attached to the cone scales.

The male cones bear pollen which is usually carried by wind to fertilize the female cones.

Coniferous Trees

Conifers grow all around the world, but particularly in the colder regions of North America, Scandinavia and Siberia.

A forest of softwood trees is a mysterious-looking place.

Long ray of sunlight shine down between tall, pointed treetops.

Sounds are muffled by the evergreen boughs. The air is fragrant and still.

Alberta Coniferous Trees Lodgepole Pine (official tree of the

province) Jack Pine Limber Pine Whitebark Pine Balsam Fir Alpine Fir White Spruce Black Spruce Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir Larch (tamarack)

Broadleaved Trees

This group of trees includes the oak, maple, aspen, poplar, birch and many others.

These trees have broad, flat leaves instead of needles.

Broadleaved trees produce flowers and after pollination these flowers develop seeds.

The seeds are often enclosed in a hard nut or a fleshy fruit.

Although some deciduous trees are pollinated by wind, many are pollinated by insects which are attracted by the colour and aroma of the flowers.

Broadleaved Trees

Broadleaved trees are most common in warm climates.

To survive in colder regions, they have evolved a form of “hibernation” in which they shed their leaves and become dormant (inactive) until spring.

The word “deciduous” means that the leaves fall off the tree when autumn comes.

Broadleaved Trees

A hardwood forest is an open, airy place.

Breezes carry the scent of green leaves and bark.

Spots of sunlight dapple the tree trunks.

Noises echo sharply as they bounce off the hardwood trees.

Brittle fallen leaves crackle under your step.

Alberta Broadleaved Trees Aspen Poplar Balsam Poplar Plains Cottonwood Manitoba Maple Paper Birch Choke Cherry Wolf Willow

Deciduous or Coniferous?A Summary

Types of Trees

Deciduous(loses its leaves in fall)

Coniferous(cone baring trees)

Shedding of Leaves

- shed leaves in fall - shed continuously (most do not shed leaves in one season)

Shape of leaves

- broad-leafed or needle shaped

- needle-shaped leaves

Water retention

- Leaves waxy topside and large surface area on underside, causing moisture loss

- thick, waxy coating reduces water loss from transpiration

Temperature resistance

-do not withstand temperature extremes

- do withstand temperature extremes