Conifers

Though the tamarack tree resembles other evergreens, it is actually a deciduous conifer, meaning that it sheds its needles every fall. It commonly grows in swamps and sphagnum bogs but also grows in upland soils. The flaky dark reddish-gray bark of the tamarack tree resembles Black Spruce. The pale green needles are soft and short (about an inch long) and grow in brush-like tufts on small knobby spurs along each twig. The cones of the tamarack are also fairly small—round, and less than an inch long. Very often you will see the tall tamarack trees growing in pure stands.

Medium to large-sized, averaging 18 m (60 ft) high, evergreen conifer with a relatively uniform, conical crown. Branches spread slightly downward. Branchlets slender, light brown or pale, sometimes glaucous, hairless. Needles borne on woody pegs. Trunk bark thin, gray-brown in color, smooth, later flaky or scaly.

Picea Abies is a fast growing tree that can grow to 150 ft.. Should reach 5 ft. in 6 to 7 years., starting with a 2-yr. seedling. Dense, dark green needles never get longer than 1". Thrives well in average soil conditions, but prefers moisture in the soil to maintain its deep green color. Highly valued ornamental and timber tree.

A very hearty native of China that has blue-green needles which are blunter than the Colorado Blue Spruce. Its branches are also more flexible than those of the Colorado Blue Spruce. Excellent needle retention. Does will in a variety of soils

Gorgeous, brilliant, stately. The Picea Pungens, is a pyramidal shaped evergreen with steel blue foliage. It prefers heavier soils, full sun, and clean cultivation. Picea Pungens will reach a height of six feet in eight years on a good site. The Picea Pungens is probably the most drought tolerant of all spruce. It is widely used in windbreaks or as an ornamental yard tree.

Picea Glauca var. Densata is noted for its dark green foliage and conical form. It is a truly cold adapted tree and is very resistant to winter injury. Young Picea Glauca var. Densata are dense with stout ¾ to 1-1/4 inch needles.

Pinus Strobus is a beautiful landscape pine widely used throughout much of North America. It is a truly magnificent tree attaining a height of 80 feet at maturity with a diameter of two to three feet. It carries long, soft bluish green needles with large brown cones. Cones are 4-8 inches in length and are rather thin and never have prickles. Widely used as a screen or windbreak.

Pinus Sylvestris is a native of Europe and is widely used as a Christmas Tree. It is a fast growing, irregularly shaped tree. Foliage consists of short, twisted needles produced in pairs, which are bluish-green and often change to yellow-green in winter.

Large-sized, averaging 23 - 32 m (75 - 105 ft) high, evergreen conifer. Crown sparse, oval, over a straight, limbless trunk with little taper. Branches spreading with foliage tufted at the ends, resembling a fox tail. Branchlets medium textured, orange-brown in color with orange-brown buds. Trunk bark on young trees, red-brown or pink to gray, flaky. Eventually becoming plated. The plates have scaly surfaces.

Pinus Ponderosa will grow on most soils including very sandy soils and sites with very little topsoil. Once established, it is very drought resistant. With good care, Pinus Ponderosa will grow to a height of six feet in six years. It is widely used in windbreaks. The Pinus Ponderosa is the most frequently planted of the large, long-needled native pines.