Trees and Forests – Tree Types

Tree Types

There are many thousands of different kinds of trees but all true trees are separated into two (2) basic classifications: Coniferous trees Deciduous trees

Coniferous Trees

Includes the pines, firs and other evergreens

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.

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

Coniferous Trees

Conifers grow all around the world, but particularly in the colder regions of North America

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)

Deciduous Trees

These trees have broad, flat leaves instead of needles.

The word “deciduous” means that the leaves fall off the tree when autumn comes.

Broadleaved trees produce flowers and after pollination these flowers develop seeds. The seeds are often enclosed in a nut or a fleshy fruit.

Broadleaved 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 inactive until spring.

Broadleaved Trees

A hardwood forest is an open, airy place.

Breezes carry the scent of green leaves and bark.

Spots of sunlight dapple the tree trunks.

Noises echo sharply as they bounce off the hardwood trees.

Brittle fallen leaves crackle under your step.

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

Deciduous or Coniferous?A Summary

Types of Trees

Deciduous(loses its leaves in fall)

Coniferous(cone baring trees)

Shedding of Leaves

- shed leaves in fall - shed continuously (most do not shed leaves in one season)

Shape of leaves

- broad-leafed or needle shaped

- needle-shaped leaves

Water retention

- Leaves waxy topside and large surface area on underside, causing moisture loss

- thick, waxy coating reduces water loss from transpiration

Temperature resistance

-do not withstand temperature extremes

- do withstand temperature extremes

QUIZ ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 23RD!!

Assignment

Complete Tree Types Questions Complete the following VENN diagram

with information that you have learned about Deciduous and Coniferous trees.

COniferousDeciduous