Evergreen trees are the living emblems of perpetual life, and they can transform your outdoor space into a lush, serene haven. In this article, we’ll explore the top 50 evergreen trees that can thrive in your yard, each one a unique and vibrant addition to your landscape. We’ll delve into their descriptions, characteristics, types, native locations, and the various ways they can be used to enhance your outdoor environment. So, if you’re ready to take your yard from ordinary to extraordinary, let’s dive into the evergreen world.
Evergreen trees are nature’s masterpieces. They retain their lush foliage year-round, serving as a symbol of vitality. The Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), for instance, boasts soft, slender needles and can reach heights of 80 feet. In contrast, the Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) flaunts striking blue-green needles and a pyramid-like form. These trees come in various shapes and sizes, from the towering Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) to the modest Western Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis).
Evergreens are as diverse as the landscapes they inhabit. The Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) thrives along the Pacific Coast, while the Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika) calls the Balkans home. For a taste of the Mediterranean, consider the Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) with its iconic tall, slender form. Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) hails from the Land of the Rising Sun, and the American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is a native of North America.
Evergreen trees have an array of uses in landscaping. They make excellent privacy screens and windbreaks, providing shelter and tranquility. The aromatic Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) is a prominent feature in many religious ceremonies in the Himalayan region, while the Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri) takes center stage during Christmas as the beloved Christmas tree. Additionally, evergreen trees are often employed for their timber, which is used in construction and woodworking.
Caring for evergreen trees involves providing adequate water, especially during dry spells, and ensuring proper drainage to prevent root rot. Regular pruning and shaping can help maintain their desired appearance and remove dead or diseased branches. Fertilizing in the spring with a balanced tree fertilizer can promote healthy growth.
Incorporating evergreen trees into your yard is like painting a masterpiece on nature’s canvas. Each of the 50 best evergreen trees brings its unique charm and allure. With their perpetual greenery and versatility, these trees breathe life and serenity into your outdoor space. Whether you desire a natural privacy screen, a fragrant cultural emblem, or a focal point for holiday celebrations, these evergreens are here to transform your yard into a vibrant, year-round oasis.
Pictures of Evergreen Trees Types
Evergreen trees provide year-round beauty and structure with their lush green foliage. They come in many forms, from towering pines to compact shrubs. Understanding the different types of evergreen trees can help you select the perfect ones for your landscape. In this article, we’ll explore various evergreen tree pictures to help identify and appreciate these trees.
Main Evergreen Tree Types
Here are some of the major categories and most popular types of evergreens:
Pines – Pines have long, slender needles in bundles of 2-5. Popular varieties include Eastern White Pine, Ponderosa Pine, and Scotch Pine. They have a pyramidal shape when young, opening with age.
Firs – Firs have short, flat needles on horizontal branches. Common species are Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, and Balsam Fir. They have a spicy fragrance and upright cones.
Spruces – Spruces have short, four-sided needles. Weeping habit and hanging cones are characteristic. Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, and White Spruce are some examples.
Cedars – True cedars like Deodar Cedar have layered, weeping branches. They have needle-like foliage arranged in spiral clusters on shoots.
Junipers – Junipers have scale-like foliage in shades of green to blue-green. They produce small, round seed cones Varieties include Chinese Juniper and Eastern Redcedar
Hemlocks – Hemlocks like Eastern Hemlock have short, flat needles with white undersides on drooping branches. Small cones hang down from twigs when mature.
Cypress – Cypress trees have small, scalelike leaves in opposite pairs. Branches are often weeping. Popular species include Leyland Cypress and Italian Cypress.
Yews – Yews have flat linear needles arranged in a spiral pattern around twigs. They produce red berries and are often used in topiaries.
Arborvitae – Arborvitaes have flat, scale-like foliage. Varieties like Green Giant and Emerald offer narrow, upright forms for screens and hedges.
Now let’s look at pictures of popular evergreen tree varieties to help with identification:
Eastern White PineThe Eastern White Pine is native to eastern North America. It has long, soft blue-green needles growing in bundles of five Mature heights reach 80 to 100 feet The pine cones are long and slender.
[Eastern White Pine picture]
Blue Spruce
The Blue Spruce is known for its striking silver-blue needles. It has a conical form and stiff, square needles that give a soft, textured appearance. This elegant tree grows 40 to 60 feet tall.
[Blue Spruce picture]
Douglas Fir
The Douglas Fir has soft, green needles with a sweet pine scent. Native to western North America, it develops an open, pyramidal form when mature, reaching heights over 100 feet.
[Douglas Fir picture]
Eastern Redcedar
The Eastern Redcedar is an aromatic native juniper that produces pretty blue “berries.” It has dense, green scale-like foliage and shredding reddish bark. Grows 20 to 50 feet tall.
[Eastern Redcedar picture]
Balsam Fir
The Balsam Fir is a Christmas tree favorite, with nice needle retention. It has a pyramidal shape, short, flat, dark green needles with pale undersides, and upright cones. Height is 40 to 80 feet.
[Balsam Fir picture]
Deodar Cedar
The Deodar Cedar is known for its weeping side branches. Native to the Himalayas, it has blue-green needle clusters and can reach 70 feet tall. The bark exfoliates in strips on mature trees.
[Deodar Cedar picture]
Leyland Cypress
The fast-growing Leyland Cypress is valued for hedges and screens. It has feathery, muted green foliage and quickly forms an upright, narrow crown. Mature height is 60 to 70 feet.
[Leyland Cypress picture]
Yew
The Yew has flat, linear needles arranged in two rows along twigs. Females produce red berries. This broadleaf evergreen is often used for formal hedges and shaped topiary. Height ranges from 3 to 40 feet.
[Yew picture]
Arborvitae
Arborvitaes like Green Giant offer neat, narrow forms for screens. They have flat sprays of scale-like foliage. Some turn bronze in winter. Grows over 40 feet tall if untrimmed.
[Arborvitae picture]
Choosing the Right Evergreen Trees
When selecting evergreens for your yard, consider the mature size to allow proper spacing. Think about the purpose, such as privacy, windbreak, or specimen planting. Foliage color and form are also important aesthetic factors. Consult local nurseries to find varieties suitable for your climate and soil conditions for healthy growth.
With their year-round greenery, evergreen trees provide permanent structure and contrast in the landscape. Use these pictures to help you identify the many magnificent types of evergreens. Discover one perfect for your next planting project.
Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)
- Botanical Name: Tsuga heterophylla
- Mature Size: 100-200 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Leaf Color: Yellow-green needles with white bands beneath
- Flower Color: Small, red-brown cones
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, moist soil
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-8
- Deer Resistance: Moderate
Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) is a giant of the Pacific Northwest forests, known for its graceful, pendulous branches and soft needles. It’s important in the timber industry and provides habitat for wildlife.
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)
- Botanical Name: Abies balsamea
- Mature Size: 40-90 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Leaf Color: Dark green needles with silvery undersides
- Flower Color: Small, purple cones
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, moist soil
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-6
- Deer Resistance: Low
The Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) is a beautiful evergreen tree known for its fragrant needles. It’s often used as a Christmas tree and provides shelter and forage for wildlife.
Evergreens: Unique and Easy Varieties | GUIDE
FAQ
What is the prettiest evergreen tree?
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Glauca’, or Nootka Cypress, is an incredibly beautiful, tall evergreen conifer. It forms a dense, conical shape with graceful, soft blue-green foliage. In summer, its blue tips contrast with the rest of the foliage, creating a stunning visual effect.
What is the most common evergreen tree?
Conifers are the most common type of Evergreen trees for sale. They are seed-producing plants that bear cones. Fir, Pine, Hemlock, Cypress, Spruce, Redwood, Yew, and Arborvitae/Thuja are coniferous trees. Broadleaf Evergreens like Holly, Magnolia, Wax Myrtle, and Live Oak have green leaves year-round.
What’s the fastest growing evergreen tree?
The Thuja Green Giant is one of the fastest-growing evergreen trees, typically adding 3 to 5 feet in height per year. It is known for its rapid growth and ability to create privacy screens quickly on PlantingTree.com and Fast Growing Trees.
What’s the difference between a pine tree and an evergreen tree?
There’s no difference between a pine tree and an evergreen. This is because a pine tree is a type of evergreen tree. Moreover, evergreens have green foliage all year round. Thus, they do not shed needles as much as deciduous plants that completely lose their leaves during fall.
Are there different types of evergreen trees?
Some species of evergreen trees are large elegant trees and some are small bushy shrubs. So, whatever your landscaping needs are, there are many varieties of evergreen trees to choose from.
What is an evergreen tree?
Evergreen trees are nature’s masterpieces. They retain their lush foliage year-round, serving as a symbol of vitality. The Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), for instance, boasts soft, slender needles and can reach heights of 80 feet. In contrast, the Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) flaunts striking blue-green needles and a pyramid-like form.
Are fir trees evergreen?
Firs trees (Abies) are a genus of about 60 species of evergreen coniferous trees in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range. Firs are most closely related to the genus Cedrus (cedar).
Are conifers evergreen?
Species of evergreen trees are ones that stay green throughout all the seasons. Even in cold freezing conditions or hot arid climates, evergreen trees are always in varying shades of green. Conifers have leaves that are needle-like.
Are evergreen trees hardy?
Evergreen trees are hardy woody plants that endure a wide range of climates. Before choosing an evergreen for your landscape, you should pay attention to growing zones and cold hardiness. Some evergreen trees and shrubs are great for privacy hedges, some make beautiful ornamental trees, and others provide shade or ground cover.
Are pine trees evergreen?
Pine Trees Pine trees (genus Pinus) is a genus of about 120 species of evergreen conifers of the pine family (Pinaceae), distributed throughout the world but native primarily to northern temperate regions. Pine trees bear seed cones and which have bundles of needle-like leaves rather than the broad leaves commonly found on deciduous trees.