- 1). Inspect the foliage of western evergreen trees. Many evergreens have long needle-like leaves that grow in grouping of two, three or five leaves. Some evergreen trees and shrubs have small, awl-shaped, scale like-leaves that cling to the twig. Broad-leaved evergreens include magnolia, rhododendron and laurel that grow in temperate, western coastal areas of the U.S. The needles or leaves of evergreens remain green and alive through the cold winter months and into the next growing season. Consult a tree identification guide book to compare the different types of foliage of western evergreen trees.
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Examine the shape of the tree. Determine if the tree presents a single- or multiple-stemmed trunk. The size, shape and growing pattern of the tree is a primary key to identification. The majority of evergreen trees are slow growing, however some species mature rather rapidly. Evergreen trees should be planted in the spring or summer to allow the roots a chance to develop before winter. - 3
Spruce trees are cone-bearing conifers.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Look for cones; conifers bear cones. Conifers found in the western portion of the U.S. include ponderosa pine, jack pine, white pine, lodgepole pine, white spruce, blue spruce, Douglas fir, balsam fir and hemlock. Douglas fir is the state tree of Oregon and ponderosa is the state tree of Montana. These stately evergreens are vital to the economy of the western states, providing jobs and product for the timber industry. Conifer cones serve as a food source for birds and small animals including squirrels and chipmunks. - 4
Ponderosa pine tree bark is a distinctive orange-brown color.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
Inspect the bark of the tree. The bark of trees serves as a protective shield. The outer layer of bark is composed of dead cells filled with air and a cork-like substance. The inner bark layer, known as phloem, contains living cells that transport nutrients from the roots and leaves to other parts of the tree. As the living inner cells die, they become part of the exterior bark. The bark of the giant redwoods of California can be up to a foot thick.
Bark provides a waterproof covering for the tree, helping to prevent loss of moisture from the tree by evaporation. Bark acts as a barrier to infestation of insects and disease and insulates the tree from dramatic temperature fluctuations. The outer bark shields the important cambium layer. The cambium layer produces the inner bark and sapwood cells, integral to the life and growth of the tree.
The bark of evergreens vary by thickness, color and texture.
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