White Spruce
Characteristics:
White Spruce is a characteristic tree of the boreal forest region; however, it's found in most regions of Canada. This species of evergreen has beautiful color year round and is easily recognized by its needles and cones that always hang down. It has a pyramid shape, which is characteristic of most evergreens.
White Spruce is hardy for zones 2 - 6 and, on average, can grow to a mature height of 40 - 60 feet, although they have been known to grow up to 80 feet. In open areas, a lower branch spread of 20 feet is not uncommon; however, on average, they have a spread of about 10 to 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet.
This species grows in a variety of soils, including acidic, drought tolerant, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, clay soils.
The white spruce does well in full sun and the typical growth rate is from 13 inches to 24 inches per year.
Wildlife Benefits:
White Spruce trees play an important role in nature. They provide nesting sites and shelter for birds. Their cones provide food for many kinds of wildlife, including crossbills, evening grosbeaks, and red-breasted nuthatches. The needles are eaten by rabbits, grouse, and deer. Red squirrels eat the seeds and also enjoy the young, tender spruce shoots. Porcupines and black bears enjoy the bark; however, this can sometimes be detrimental to the tree.
Blue Spruce
Characteristics:
Blue Spruce has similar characteristics to White Spruce, with one major difference. As its name indicates, this tree is noted for its beautiful blue, often silvery, coloring, which makes it one of the most desirable species of evergreen. Its stiff needle pointed leaves radiate at almost right angles to the twig. The Blue Spruce is ideal as a border tree, as it provides screening, and its root system makes it more wind firm than any other western spruce.
Blue Spruce is hardy for zones 2 - 8 and, on average, can grow to a mature height of 50 - 75 feet. In open areas, it has a lower branch spread of about 25 feet, at full maturity.
This species of evergreen grows well in various soils, including acidic, drought tolerant, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well drained, wet, wide range, clay soils.
The blue spruce does well in full sun and the typical growth rate is from 12 inches to 24 inches per year.
Wildlife Benefits:
This magnificent silver blue green spruce provides a protective summer nesting site for many songbirds. Siskins, nuthatches, and crossbills use the Blue Spruce for both food and shelter, and deer will often eat the foliage.
Red Pine
Characteristics:
Red Pines grow in similar conditions as the White Pine. This evergreen tree will mature into a beautiful, strong tree, with a red/brown bark and chestnut brown pine cones. In fact, the Red Pine is an attractive tree that is used in recreational areas because of its colorful bark. The lush green needles grow 4 to 6 inches in length. Unlike most evergreens, it has an oval form.
Red Pines are hardy for zones 2 - 7 and, on average, can grow to a mature height of 70 - 80 feet. In open areas, it has a lower branch spread of about 30 feet, at full maturity.
The Red Pine grows well in various soils including well drained, dry, highly acid, sandy soils. It adapts to adverse sites but is not salt tolerant.
This species prefers full sun and is shade intolerant. The typical growth rate is from 12 inches to 18 inches per year.
Wildlife Benefits:
As with any evergreen, this species provides cover for many species of mammals and songbirds. Deer, cottontails, and snowshoe hares feed on the foliage, while mice and chipmunks feed on the seed.
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White Pine
Characteristics:
White Pine is the tallest conifer in Eastern Canada, and is the official tree of the Province of Ontario. This hardy species of evergreen is found growing throughout Eastern Canada; however, it will grow in most areas of Canada and the US. This evergreen has clustered; soft needles and is ideal as a screen or windbreak.
The White Pine is hardy for zones 3 - 8 and, on average, can grow to a mature height of 50 - 80 feet; however, it can reach a height of 100 feet, with a trunk diameter of 3 feet. In open areas, it has a lower branch spread of about 20 - 40 feet, at full maturity.
The White Pine grows best in well-drained, moist, acidic, dry, and wet soils. It likes moist soil conditions, but can tolerate dry, rocky ridges to bogs.
This species does well in full sun and partial shade. The typical growth rate can be 25 inches or more per year.
Wildlife Benefits:
The seeds of the White Pine are enjoyed by black bears, rabbits, red squirrels, and many birds, particularly red crossbills. The bark is eaten by beavers, snowshoe hares, porcupines, rabbits and mice, which can be detrimental to the tree. White pines provide nesting sites for many birds, including woodpeckers, common grackles, mourning doves, chickadees and nuthatches.
Balsam Fir
Characteristics:
Balsams are a small to medium sized, aromatic evergreen, that are most often grown for Christmas trees. They are native to the colder climates found in the northern U.S. and Canada. Balsams have a symmetrical, pyramidal shape with a broad base and narrow top. The needles are shiny dark green, approximately 3/4 to 1 inch long, flat, and often curved slightly.
Balsam Fir is hardy for zones 3 - 6 and, on average, can grow to a mature heights ranging from 45 to 75 feet with 20 to 25 feet of crown width. They have a shallow, spreading root system.
Balsam firs and will grow fastest in full sun, and prefer moist, well drained, acidic soils with a pH of 4.0 to 6.0. They are generally found in cool, moist climates that receive 30 or more inches of rain per year.
Wildlife Benefits:
The Balsam Fir provides winter food for the ruffed grouse, as well as various other birds and small mammals. Moose also graze on the vegetation during the winter months.
Fraser Fir
Characteristics:
Fraser firs are also known in some areas as southern Balsam or she-balsam. They are native to the southeastern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The needles are two-ranked, 1/2 to 1 1/4 inches long, and are tightly spaced. Their color is a shiny deep green to almost blue. The Fraser Fir has a pyramidal shape, with a spire-like top. Their needle retention and stiffer branches make the Fraser Fir a natural choice for Christmas trees.
The Fraser Fir is hardy for zones 4 – 7. They require full sun exposure and must have a well drained, acidic soil, with a PH level of 3.5 to 6.5 for the best growth. They do not tolerate wet soil. Fraser firs can reach heights of 60 to 75 feet, with a crown spread of 30 to 40 feet, under the correct conditions.
Wildlife Benefits:
Red squirrels eat the seeds and terminal buds of the Fraser Fir.
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