Evergreen Trees

As the name suggests, evergreen trees are green at all times of the year. This means that unlike deciduous trees that shed their leaves seasonally, evergreen trees maintain their foliage throughout the year. While some evergreen trees retain their leaves for a few months, there are others who retain them for decades.

Evergreen trees have a structure modified to suit all climatic conditions. The leaves of most evergreen trees are shaped like needles and are coated with wax. This means there is less leaf surface and a layer of wax to prevent loss of water. The structure of the leaves and branches is such that the leaves typically protect the branches from both harsh sun and freezing frost. Although, broad leaved evergreen trees also exist, albeit in climatic condition that is less harsh.

Evergreen trees are more common in tropical regions rather that temperate regions. The climate of the tropical regions is most suited for the growth and survival of evergreen trees. And though evergreen trees can grow in cold climates, they cannot survive in temperatures as cold as the Polar Regions’.

There are many types of trees that are evergreen. Some of them are listed below:

• Cypress: One of the most popular evergreen trees in America, Cypress has a very symmetrical shape and a soft, feathery texture.
• Eucalyptus: Known for its enchanting fragrance, Eucalyptus trees are another common type of evergreen trees found in the United States. Eucalyptus trees are extremely sturdy trees and can naturally resist pest and draughts. Its fragrance acts as an insect repellent as well. Eucalyptus trees typically grow at the rate of six feet every year.
• Pine: Pine is perhaps the most popular evergreen tree in the United States. People easily recognize pine trees because of their needle shaped leaves. There are more than 115 different species of pine across the world. Different types of pines thrive in different climatic conditions. For instance, some are tolerant to frost, while others will wither away in that cold. Pine trees are naturally drought resistant. They typically grow at the rate of 3-4 feet a year.
• Thuja: Thuja trees are amongst the fastest growing evergreen trees in the world. It may take some time for them to get established, but once established, they grow rapidly every year. Thuja trees are found to be tolerant of most climatic conditions. They are also known to be resistant to pests and droughts.

Apart from these common types, other varieties of evergreen trees include firs, hollies, cedar, spruce and maple. Ever our beloved Christmas tree is a variety of evergreen trees. As you can see, evergreen trees are not restricted to any one region or temperature zone. They are just as common in Australia, as they are in India as well as the United States.

Evergreen trees are popularly used in landscaping, as they provide foliage all year round. One need not worry about clearing seasonal shedding leaves in the case of evergreen trees. They help make the landscape look fresh and alive, no matter what the climate is.