Alna Mitchell, The Guide to Trees of Canada and North America

The book covers a lot pf plants we learn. For each category, like oaks, there are several common species introduced. The illustration in the book shows the bark, leaves and fruits of each species.

However, the book is written by common name, which makes it hard to find the plants by scientific name. (Although they are somehow arranged by family or species) There are a only a few lines of brief description for each plants.

Mirko Vidakovic, Conifers morphology and variation

Really helpful book to learn the morphology of conifers!

Because we can not only use terms in broad leaf plants such as alternate/opposite to decribe conifers, sometimes it’s very confusing to tell and describe the diference between conifers. The book tells me the morphology of conifers exiplicitly. Also, the book covers most conifers we learn.

http://www.greatplantpicks.org/

The website has some of the plants we learn. The hardness, soil, sun requirements are shown. Also has clear photos.

1. Araucaria araucana

Common name: monkey-puzzle tree

Family name: Araucariaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements: Full sun to part shade

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: Some pests. dangerous needles

Suitable uses: cooler area: Winter Interest,

Quick ID description:

Photographs:

2. Calocedrus decurrens

Common name: incense cedar

Family name:Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements: low maintance

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: Heart rot and rust

Suitable uses: Hedge

Quick ID description: showy yellow flower on the top of the branches

Photographs:

3. Cedrus atlantica

Common name: Atlas cedar

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: Medium to low

Soil requirements: full sun, low maintance

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:  Tip blight .  branches easy to break by snow

Suitable uses: cooler area: Specimen plant.

Quick ID description: 1. broader leaves

Photographs:

4. Cedrus deodara

Common name:Himalayan cedar

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-8

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: low to medium

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: Not tough

Suitable uses: cooler area: Specimen tree for large lawns. Prune as a screen or hedge.

Quick ID description: 1.thinner leaves and fine texture

Photographs:

5. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Common name: Lawson’s cypress

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: full sun to part shade

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: spreading dease! Phytophthora lateralis

Suitable uses: cooler area: graft into thuja

Quick ID description: rounded scale, small cones.

Photographs:

6. Chamaecyparis pisifera Filifera Group

Common name: the true fir/ beautiful fir

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses:

Quick ID description: thin branches

Photographs:

7. Cryptomeria japonica

Common name: Japanese cedar

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements: Sun: Full sun

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: Leaf blight and leaf spot.

Suitable uses: Large specimen tree. Screen.

Quick ID description: has curved needles

Photographs:

8. Cunninghamia lanceolata

Common name: China-fir

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 9

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements: Full sun to part shade

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: not hard

Suitable uses: specimen.

Quick ID description: 1. hard pointy leaves

Photographs:

9. Juniperus sabina

Common name: savin juniper

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. sh. cone

Water use: M

Soil requirements: Sun: Full sun   well-drained

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: susceptible to tip and needle blights.

Suitable uses: cooler area: mountains, coast moisture

Quick ID description: 2 types of growth, the needles are small

Photographs:

10. Picea omorika

Common name:Serbian spruce

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements:

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: insect problems

Suitable uses: Street Tree

Quick ID description: 1. not pointy leaves 2. half green half white 3. leaf has 3 edges

Photographs:

11. Pinus ponderosa (N)

Common name: the true fir/ beautiful fir

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: need full sun

Suitable uses: cooler area: mountains, coast moisture

Quick ID description: 1. 3 needles in a bundle

Photographs:

 

12. Pinus strobus

Common name: eastern white pine

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses:  specimen tree

Quick ID description:  5 needles in a bundle

Photographs:

13. Sequoia sempervirens

Common name: coast redwood

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 9

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Sun: Full sun

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: needs a large space.

Suitable uses: needs a large space.

Quick ID description: 1. green branches

Photographs:

14. Sequoiadendron giganteum

Common name: giant sequoia

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 8

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements:

Sun: Full sun

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: Dieback, blight and butt

Suitable uses: cooler area: needs a very large space

Quick ID description: 1. leaves: 2 in 180 degree, 1 in the middle

Photographs:

15. Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’

Common name: the true fir/ beautiful fir

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses: cooler area: mountains, coast moisture

Quick ID description:

Photographs:

16. Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’

Common name: the true fir/ beautiful fir

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev.sh. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses: cooler area: mountains, coast moisture

Quick ID description:

Photographs:

17. Taxus × media

Common name: yew

Family name: Taxaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev.sh. cone

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements: well drained!

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: Root rot may occur in poorly-drained soils. expensive plant!

Suitable uses: cooler area: screen or hedge.

Quick ID description: small leaves

Photographs:

18. Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’

Common name: American arborvitae

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:Medium

Soil requirements:

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: Susceptible to damage in winter snow.

Suitable uses: cooler area: mountains, coast moisture

Quick ID description: specimen or backgound

Photographs:

19. Thujopsis dolobrata

Common name: lizard tree

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses: cooler area: mountains, coast moisture

Quick ID description: 1. like lizard scales

Photographs:

20. Tsuga canadensis

Common name: Canadian hemlock

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses: cooler area: mountains, coast moisture

Quick ID description: 1. darkest leaves

Photographs:

 

1. Abies amabilis (N)

Common name: the true fir/ beautiful fir

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses: cooler area: mountains, coast moisture

Quick ID description: 1. leaves: 2 in 180 degree, 1 in the middle

Photographs:

2. Abies grandis (N)

Common name: grand fir

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 6

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone.

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements:

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses: warmer area, Large specimen fir

Quick ID description: 1. long needles, 3-3.5cm. 2. 180 degree 3. grape fruit smell

Photographs:

3. Abies lasiocarpa (N)

Common name: Alpine fir

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr, cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses:

Quick ID description: 1. leaves all around the branches 2. not white on the back 3. no peg

Photographs:

4. Abies koreana

Common name: Korean fir

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev.tr. cone

Water use: medium

Soil requirements:

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses: residential area

Quick ID description: 1. leaves all around the branches 2. white on the back

Photographs:

5. Pinus parviflora

Common name: white pine, Japanese white pine

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr.

Water use:  Water: Medium

Soil requirements:

Sun: Full sun

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s): round scale, 5-6 cm

Limitations:

Suitable uses: Specimen.

Quick ID description: 5 short needles

Photographs:

6. Cupressus nootkatensis (N)

Common name: yellow cedar/stinking cedar

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone.

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses:

Quick ID description: 1. strong smell. 2. soft branches 3. yellow on the top of the leaf

Photographs:

7. Chamaecyparis obtusa

Common name: hynoki cypres

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: 1. tough drought flooding tolerate

Soil requirements: tough

Leaf arrangement/Foliage: dense

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s): valvate cone like soccer ball

Limitations:

Suitable uses: Specimen evergreen conifer.

Quick ID description: 1. rounded scale 2. valvate cone like soccer ball

Photographs:

8. Cryptomeria japonica Elegans Group

Common name:

Family name:

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form:

Water use: moisture in summer

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: ned sunshine and good drainage, misture in summer and protection in winter

Suitable uses:

Quick ID description: soft deccurent leaves.

Photographs:

9. Juniperus communis (N)

Common name: common juniper

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. sh

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements:

Sun: Full sun

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s): blue cones like berries

Limitations:

Suitable uses:

Quick ID description: 1. juvenile growth and mature growth

Photographs:

10. Picea breweriana

Common name: brewer’s spruce

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses:

Quick ID description: 1. lone not pointy leaves

Photographs:

11. Picea pungens

Common name: spruce/Colorado spruce

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use: Medium

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations: pest

Suitable uses: Landscape specimen.

Quick ID description: 1. 4 sided very pointy leaves

Photographs:

12. Picea sitchensis (N)

Common name:

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone.

Water use:

Soil requirements: salt spray soil

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses:

Quick ID description: 1. flat pointy needles

Photographs:

13. Pinus contorta subsp. contorta (N)

Common name: shore pine

Family name:

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. c.

Water use:

Soil requirements: tolerate flooding

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s): hooks on umble

Limitations:

Suitable uses:

Quick ID description:

Photographs:

14. Pinus mugo

Common name: mugo pine

Family name: Pineaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Sun: Full sun

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s): cone 2.5*4 cm, upright

Limitations:

Suitable uses: ground cover

Quick ID description:

Photographs:

15. Pinus nigra

Common name: Austrian pine

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev.tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Sun: Full sun

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s): cone: 6-7cm

Limitations:

Suitable uses: Specimen, screen or windbreak

Quick ID description:

Photographs:

16. Pinus sylvestris

Common name: Eurpean pine/ Scotch pine

Family name: Pineaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s): cone bigger than P. mogu

Limitations:

Suitable uses: timber tree, rock gardens, foundations and other small areas around the home.

Quick ID description: shorter blue needles

Photographs:

17. Pseudotsuga menziesii (N)

Common name: Douglas fir

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 6

Mature height and spread: irregular when old

Form: ev. tr. cone.

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses: Christmas tree, large tree

Quick ID description: 1. elliptical leaf scar 2. long branches than abies 3. bract 4.leaves 25*2 mm

Photographs:

18. Thuja plicata (N)

Common name: western red cedar

Family name: Cupressaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 7

Mature height and spread:

Form:

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage: decussate

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s): cone: overlapping scales. loosen up when ripe.

Limitations:

Suitable uses: Large specimen tree for lawns

Quick ID description: 1. cone: overlapping scales 2.  fibress bark

Photographs:

19. Tsuga heterophylla (N)

Common name: western hemlock

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 8

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev. tr. cone.

Water use: good drainage

Soil requirements: moist and shady

Leaf arrangement/Foliage: leaf: 10*2 mm

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s): cone: 3cm, rounded overlapping scale

Limitations:

Suitable uses:

Quick ID description: 1. rounded overlapping scale 2. light green

Photographs:

20. Tsuga mertensiana (N)

Common name: mountain hemlock

Family name: Pinaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone:

Mature height and spread:

Form: ev.tr.c.

Water use:

Soil requirements:

Leaf arrangement/Foliage:

Fall colour:

Flower/cone/fruit description(s):

Limitations:

Suitable uses: cool area

Quick ID description: 1. flexible branches 2. no white on the back of the leaves

Photographs: