Trees and Forests – Tree Types
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
 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.
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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
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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)
Deciduous Trees

These trees have broad, flat leaves instead of
needles.
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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.
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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.
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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
QUIZ ON TUESDAY
RD
SEPTEMBER 23 !!
Assignment
Complete Tree Types Questions
 Complete the following VENN diagram with
information that you have learned about
Deciduous and Coniferous trees.
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Deciduous
COniferous