Evergreen trees provide year-round interest and lush greenery to landscapes with their vibrant, unchanging foliage. Unlike deciduous trees, evergreens do not lose their leaves in the fall. Their persistence through the seasons makes them symbols of longevity and perseverance.
In this article we will explore the diverse array of evergreen tree types through pictures and descriptions. Learning to identify these trees by sight aids in selecting the right species for your planting site and desired aesthetic.
Below you will find an extensive visual guide with photos of popular evergreen tree species along with details on their features growing habits and ornamental qualities.
Common Types of Evergreen Trees
Cedar Trees
Cedars encompass a variety of species within the genera Cedrus and Thuja. They are known for aromatic wood and attractive, scale-like foliage.
Deodar Cedar A large ornamental tree with gracefully drooping branches Grayish-green needles with whitish undersides,
![Deodar Cedar][]
Western Redcedar: Massive native tree with scaly leaves and reddish-brown bark. Used for timber and landscaping.![Western Redcedar][]
Alaska Cedar: Small cedar with bright green leaves and shredding orange bark when mature. Named for its native range.![Alaska Cedar][]
Pine Trees
Pines are evergreen conifers that bear their seeds in cones. They have long, slender green needles and are commercially important for lumber.
Eastern White Pine: Very tall pine with soft, flexible needles. Fast growth rate and minimal pruning needs. ![Eastern White Pine][]
Scotch Pine: Hardy pine with orange bark and short, blue-green needles. Used for Christmas trees.![Scotch Pine][]
Ponderosa Pine: Iconic western pine with long needles and large cones. Has cinnamon-colored bark that ages reddish-black.![Ponderosa Pine][]
Fir Trees
Firs have short, flat, needle-like leaves. They are pyramidal in shape and used as Christmas trees. Many species have a pleasing fragrance.
Noble Fir: Stately evergreen with upward-sweeping branches and long, blue-green needles with white stripes.![Noble Fir][]
Fraser Fir: Elegant Christmas tree known for its symmetrical form, pleasant scent, and good needle retention.![Fraser Fir][]
Douglas Fir: Very large, fast-growing fir with soft, green needles. Important lumber species of the west.![Douglas Fir][]
Spruce Trees
Spruces are pyramidal evergreens with prickly needles and pendulous branches. They add color and texture to landscapes.
Colorado Blue Spruce: Beautiful blue needles and symmetrical, cone-shaped form. Striking focal point.![Colorado Blue Spruce][]
Weeping White Spruce: Graceful spruce with pendulous branches and silvery-blue needles. Grows in a narrow, pyramidal form.![Weeping White Spruce][]
Norway Spruce: Very hardy spruce with drooping branches and wide, conical form. Rapid growth when young.![Norway Spruce][]
Cypress Trees
Cypress trees are conifers with small, scale-like leaves. They have a conical to columnar shape and aromatic, durable wood.
Leyland Cypress: Extremely fast-growing tree that makes a lush, towering privacy screen. Feathery, fern-like foliage.![Leyland Cypress][]
Arizona Cypress: Tall evergreen well-suited to hot, arid climates. Silvery-green to bluish-gray leaves.![Arizona Cypress][]
Monterey Cypress: Picturesque cypress native to California’s coast. Distinctive windswept form.![Monterey Cypress][]
Juniper Trees
Junipers encompass various evergreen species in the Juniperus genus. They have aromatic, blue-green scale-like leaves and berries.
Eastern Redcedar: Medium-sized native juniper with bluish-green foliage and small blue/purple cones. Grows in various forms. ![Eastern Redcedar][]
Chinese Juniper: Diverse group of ornamental junipers in many forms, sizes, and colors. Rugged, adaptable plants.![Chinese Juniper][]
Hollywood Juniper: Tight, compact juniper that makes a dense screen or hedge. Soft, delicate foliage with subtle color. ![Hollywood Juniper][]
Yew Trees
Yews are neat, formal evergreens used for hedges and topiaries. They have flat, dark green needles and red fruits.
English Yew: Dense, multi-stemmed shrub often trimmed into hedges. Also known as European yew. ![English Yew][]
Japanese Yew: Slow-growing yew with arching branches and two narrow white stripes on each leaf. Broadly columnar shape.![Japanese Yew][]
Canada Yew: Low-growing native yew good for ground cover. Reddish bark and evergreen foliage.![Canada Yew][]
Arborvitae Trees
Arborvitaes, or thujas, make excellent hedge plants and screens. They have flat sprays of scale-like leaves.
Emerald Green Arborvitae: Bright green foliage and dense, pyramidal form. Maintains color in winter.![Emerald Green Arborvitae][]
Giant Arborvitae: Massive native arborvitae with fibrous, reddish bark. Grows into medium-sized tree.![Giant Arborvitae][]
Golden Arborvitae: Compact shrub with fan-like sprays of golden foliage. Columnar form and slow growth.![Golden Arborvitae][]
Additional Evergreen Species
Beyond the major groups above, many other broadleaf and coniferous evergreens can thrive in landscapes. Here are a few more top choices:
- Mountain Hemlock: Large western fir with drooping top and short, rounded needles.
- Monkey Puzzle Tree: Unusual tree with thick, spiny leaves. Native to South America.
- Japanese Cryptomeria: Graceful oriental conifer with pretty foliage and shaggy, reddish bark.
- Atlantic White Cedar: Dense native conifer good for screens and hedges. Light green leaves.
- Eastern Hemlock: Shade-loving fir with flat, glossy needles and weeping branch tips.
- Atlas Cedar: Majestic ornamental cedar with silver-blue needles, loved for its beauty.
- Dwarf Alberta Spruce: Small spruce excellent for rock gardens and container planting.
Choosing the Right Evergreen Trees
When selecting evergreen trees, consider their mature size and growth habits to choose varieties suited to your landscape. Slow-growing dwarf evergreens can thrive in small spaces, while fast-growing trees like Leyland Cypress make quick, tall screens.
Also factor in visual qualities like form, foliage color, and texture. Blue Atlas Cedar or Colorado Blue Spruce add striking color, while weeping trees like Weeping White Spruce provide graceful movement. Match the tree’s cultural needs to your planting site’s soil, sunlight, and climate as well.
With proper selection and care, evergreens can enhance your landscape’s beauty year-round. This guide provides pictures and descriptions to help identify and choose these perpetual symbols of life and vibrance.
What Are Evergreen Trees?
Evergreens have green foliage throughout the year. These plants do not drop their leaves in fall and go dormant in winter like deciduous trees. Conifers are the most common type of Evergreen trees for sale. They are seed-producing plants that bear cones. Fir, Pine, Hemlock, Cypress, Spruce, Redwood, Yew, and Arborvitae/Thuja are coniferous trees. Broadleaf Evergreens like Holly, Magnolia, Wax Myrtle, and Live Oak have green leaves year-round.
How to Plant Evergreen Trees
Dig a hole about twice the width of the root ball and not quite as deep. Place your tree level in the hole. Make sure the root ball’s top is just above the soil line, and then fill in with the soil that was there before. Water deeply until the water begins to pool. Put down 1 to 2 inches of pine straw or pine bark mulch to keep weeds away, lower the amount of water you need to use, and keep the soil moist. Extend the mulch a couple of inches beyond the tree’s canopy. Learn more about How to Plant Evergreen Trees.
Evergreen Tree | What are Evergreen Trees | Evergreen Trees Names and Pictures
What are the different types of evergreen trees?
It is often possible to identify the difference between the different types of evergreens such as firs, pines, and spruces by their needles and cones. For example, needles on pine trees grow in clusters of 2, 3, 4, or 5 on the twigs, whereas spruce and firs are attached singularly. Fir trees tend to have flat needles, unlike pines and spruces.
What are the different types of trees?
Identifying the different kinds of trees usually depends on examining their leaves and bark. Some types of trees have wide oval leaves, some have star-shaped ones, and many evergreen trees have needle leaves. All species of trees are classified into two main types: deciduous trees and evergreen trees.
What is an evergreen tree?
Evergreen trees are a botanically recognized category of tree. They stand out, especially in the winter, since the plant’s foliage remains green and functioning all year round. In other words, they have more than one growing season. Most people imagine evergreen trees only include pine trees and other conifers.
Are all trees evergreen?
Many of the larger trees in that canopy are evergreens. Some families mostly made up of deciduous trees also contain a few rogue evergreens. For example most oak trees are deciduous but a few species are known as live oaks because they stay green – and alive looking – all year round.