Category: Coniferous

Black Hills Spruce (Picea glauca var. densata)

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Picea glauca var. densata is a variety of white spruce known for its conical shape, evergreen needles, and distinctive cones.

Leaves: The needles are evergreen, short, and stiff, with a bluish-green color.

Cones: The cones are small, cylindrical, and reddish-brown.

Bark: The bark is thin, grayish-brown, and scaly.

Habitat: It is commonly found in coniferous forests and is adapted to various soil types.

Distribution: Black Hills spruce is native to western North America, particularly the Black Hills region.

Occurance
Planted in Northwest corner – collected directly from the black hills

Eastern Larch – Larix laricina

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Larix laricina is a deciduous coniferous tree known for its soft, needle-like leaves and small, woody cones.

Leaves: The leaves are needle-like, light green, and appear in clusters.

Cones: The cones are small and woody, typically less than an inch long.

Bark: The bark is grayish-brown and often scaly.

Habitat: It is commonly found in wetlands, including bogs and swamps.

Distribution: Tamarack is native to North America and northern Eurasia.

Occurrence
3 larger trees were planted in 1993, others planted in 2008 and in 2016

Common Juniper – Juniperus communis

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Juniperus communis is an evergreen shrub or small tree known for its scale-like leaves and fleshy cones.

Leaves: The leaves are scale-like and closely appressed to the branches.

Cones: The plant produces small, fleshy cones that resemble berries and are often bluish-black.

Bark: The bark is reddish-brown and exfoliates in strips.

Habitat: It is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including open woodlands and rocky slopes.

Distribution: Common juniper has a wide distribution and is native to North America, Eurasia, and northern Africa.

Occurrence
Widespread throughout the property

Scotch Pine – Pinus sylvestris

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Pinus sylvestris is a coniferous tree known for its long needles and conical shape.

Leaves: The tree has long, slender needles that are typically in pairs and have a bluish-green color.

Cones: It produces cylindrical cones that are reddish-brown when mature.

Bark: The bark is orange-brown and becomes scaly with age.

Habitat: It is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including forests and open woodlands.

Distribution: Scots pine is native to Europe and Asia.

Occurrence
Multiple planted in former field area in 2016.

Austrian Pine – Pinus nigra

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Pinus nigra is a coniferous tree known for its dark, fissured bark and long needles.

Leaves: The tree has long, slender needles that are typically in pairs and have a dark green color.

Cones: It produces ovoid cones that are brown when mature.

Bark: The bark is dark brown to black and becomes deeply fissured with age.

Habitat: It is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including forests and rocky slopes.

Distribution: Black pine is native to Europe and Asia.

Occurrence
Multiple planted in former field area in 2016.

Eastern Red Cedar – Juniperus virginiana

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar or Virginia Juniper) is an evergreen coniferous tree belonging to the Cupressaceae family. Here are some key identification characteristics:

Size and Shape: Eastern red cedar is a medium-sized tree that typically reaches heights of 30 to 60 feet (9 to 18 meters). It has a narrow, columnar or pyramidal shape when young, gradually becoming more irregular and spreading with age.

Leaves: The leaves of Juniperus virginiana are scale-like, opposite or in whorls of three, and arranged in flattened sprays. They are green to bluish-green and have a distinctive resinous fragrance when crushed.

Fruit: The tree produces small, fleshy, berry-like cones that are about 0.25 to 0.5 inches (6 to 13 millimeters) in diameter. These cones initially appear green but mature to bluish-purple and may persist on the tree for several years.

Bark: The bark of Eastern red cedar is reddish-brown and exfoliates in thin, fibrous strips, revealing a reddish inner layer. The exfoliating bark adds to the tree’s rustic appearance.

Habitat: Juniperus virginiana is native to eastern North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including open woodlands, hillsides, and rocky areas. It is well-adapted to a range of soil conditions, including dry and poor soils.

Cultivation: Eastern red cedar is valued for its hardy nature and is often planted for erosion control, windbreaks, and wildlife habitat. It is also used in landscaping and as a Christmas tree.

Other Species: There are other juniper species, such as Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper) and Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper), each with its unique characteristics.

Eastern red cedar is an ecologically important tree, providing food and shelter for various wildlife species. It is also used in traditional medicine and has cultural significance for certain indigenous communities.

Occurrence
Widespread in all areas of the property and in all stages of maturity.

Eastern White Pine – Pinus strobus

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Pinus strobus (Eastern White Pine) is a large evergreen coniferous tree belonging to the Pinaceae family. Here are some key identification characteristics:

Size and Shape: Eastern white pine is a majestic tree that can reach heights of 80 to 150 feet (24 to 45 meters) or more. It has a tall, straight trunk and a broad, irregular crown with horizontally spreading branches.

Needles: The needles of Pinus strobus are soft, flexible, and occur in bundles of five. Each needle is slender, measuring about 2.5 to 5 inches (6 to 13 centimeters) long, and has a bluish-green to dark green color.

Cones: The tree produces elongated cones that are around 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) long. The cones have a cylindrical shape and are often slightly curved. When young, they are green, maturing to light brown when ripe.

Bark: The bark of young Eastern white pine trees is smooth and greenish-gray, gradually developing into a darker, reddish-brown or grayish-brown color with broad, flat-topped ridges as the tree ages.

Branches and Twigs: The branches are relatively slender, while the twigs are hairless and usually have a reddish-brown hue.

Habitat: Eastern white pine is native to eastern North America and can be found in a wide range of habitats, including mixed forests, upland areas, and well-drained soils. It prefers slightly acidic soils.

Cultivation: Eastern white pine is highly valued for its ornamental beauty and is planted in parks and large landscapes for its attractive form and soft, graceful appearance.

Other Species: Eastern white pine can be distinguished by its bundles of five needles, soft texture, and distinctive cones.

Eastern white pine has historical significance in North America, having played a vital role in early colonization and the timber industry. Today, it remains a treasured tree for its ecological value and aesthetic appeal.

Occurrence
Many planted in a 3 acre area in 1987 and 1988, but none survived. Some large specimens did survive in the farm yard. One planted in the north west corner is now a large tree. Several trees in have been planted around the property in the past decade and are still small and susceptible to deer predation.

Red Pine – Pinus resinosa

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Pinus resinosa (Red Pine) is a tall evergreen coniferous tree belonging to the Pinaceae family. Here are some key identification characteristics:

Size and Shape: Red pine is a large tree that typically reaches heights of 66 to 115 feet (20 to 35 meters). It has a straight, tall trunk with a relatively uniform crown and branches that spread horizontally.

Needles: The needles of Pinus resinosa are needle-like and occur in bundles of two. Each needle is about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long, and they have a reddish-brown to dark green color.

Cones: The tree produces large and distinctive cones that measure around 2.5 to 4 inches (6 to 10 centimeters) long. The cones have a conical shape and are reddish-brown when mature. The scales of the cones are tipped with small, curved prickles.

Bark: The bark of young red pine trees is smooth and grayish, often becoming reddish-brown and developing thick, scaly plates as the tree matures.

Branches and Twigs: The branches of red pine are relatively stout, and the twigs are often covered with a thin, white, waxy coating.

Habitat: Red pine is native to North America and can be found in various habitats, including sandy soils and rocky areas. It is often associated with mixed forests and grows well in cooler climates.

Cultivation: Due to its rapid growth and straight trunk, red pine has been widely planted for reforestation and timber production. It is an important commercial timber species.

Other Species: Red pine is relatively easy to identify due to its long needles in bundles of two and unique reddish-brown cones.

Red pine is valued for its timber, which is used in construction, furniture making, and various other applications. It is also planted in reforestation efforts to restore forests and provide valuable wood resources.

Occurrence
Many planted in a 3 acre area in 1987 and 1988. Trees at that time were also planted in the north west corner of the property and in the yard and in some places in the former pasture.