Trees and Forests – Tree Types Science 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. Conifers grow all around the world, but particularly in the colder regions of North America, Scandinavia and Siberia.

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.

Deciduous 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.

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