Transcript TreeTypes

Trees and Forests – Tree Types
Science 6
Tree Types
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There are many thousands of different
kinds of trees but all true trees are
separated into two (2) basic
classifications:
 Coniferous trees which are also
known as “evergreens” or
“softwoods”
 Broadleaved trees which are also
known as “deciduous” or
“hardwoods”.
 NOTE: “hardwoods” are flowering
plants and the “softwoods” are
conebearers.
Coniferous Trees
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Includes the pines, firs and other
evergreens that usually have narrow
needles instead of broadleaves.
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.
(one species of needleleaf tree is
exceptional. The needles of the larch
tree turn golden-orange and drop off in
the fall.)
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 to
fertilize the female cones.
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Coniferous Trees
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Conifers grow all around the world,
but particularly in the colder regions
of North America, Scandinavia and
Siberia.
A forest of softwood trees is a
mysterious-looking place.
Long ray of sunlight shine down
between tall, pointed treetops.
Sounds are muffled by the evergreen
boughs. The air is fragrant and still.
Alberta Coniferous Trees
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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)
Broadleaved Trees
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This group of trees includes the oak, maple,
aspen, poplar, birch and many others.
These trees have broad, flat leaves instead of
needles.
Broadleaved trees produce flowers and after
pollination these flowers develop seeds.
The seeds are often enclosed in a hard nut or
a fleshy fruit.
Although some deciduous trees are pollinated
by wind, many are pollinated by insects which
are attracted by the colour and aroma of the
flowers.
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 dormant
(inactive) until spring.
 The word “deciduous” means that
the leaves fall off the tree when
autumn comes.
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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.
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Alberta Broadleaved Trees
Aspen
 Poplar
 Balsam Poplar
 Plains Cottonwood
 Manitoba Maple
 Paper Birch
 Choke Cherry
 Wolf Willow
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Deciduous or Coniferous?
A Summary
Types of Trees
Deciduous
Coniferous
(loses its leaves in fall)
(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 - needle-shaped leaves
shaped
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 withstand temperature
extremes
-do not withstand
temperature extremes