Surely you are already aware of how vast the world of bushes and trees is. There are many varieties, types and different species, each with its characteristics. Between evergreen or deciduous trees, large specimens or bushy trees, and fruit or non-fruit trees, the list is immense.
In order not to spend a lifetime listing them all, we are going to talk about it in this article. on evergreen trees, or evergreens. They are very special vegetables with a high ornamental value. Apart from explaining what they are and what their main characteristic is, we will also comment on some examples of the most famous species belonging to this group.
What are evergreen trees?
Before talking about some examples of evergreen trees, let's first explain what are evergreen trees, also known as evergreen trees. Roughly speaking, these vegetables are those that They are characterized mainly by the durability of their foliage. While the deciduous trees lose their foliage when the cold arrives, the evergreens keep it green throughout the year.
In other words: The species belonging to this group do not lose all of their leaves when temperatures begin to drop, only a part of the foliage of these trees dies each year. Generally, the youngest shoots of these plants survive and end up forming part of the tree by joining the already adult leaves and the new ones that emerge in spring. In this way, the cup will never have a bare appearance.
Thanks to the resistance and durability of the foliage, evergreen trees are very popular for decorating parks and gardens. With them we get the space to always look a nice green color. They can also be used to cover certain areas or to get some shade on hot summer days. It should be noted that we can distinguish between two different types: The wide evergreen and the needle-shaped evergreen. We will discuss them in more detail below.
Broad evergreen trees
This subcategory of evergreen trees It is characterized mainly by having broad or broad leaves, as its name indicates. Even so, the foliage is maintained throughout the year, since it is still dealing with evergreen species.
Most of these varieties are native to equatorial regions and tropical areas. There, the climate allows the trees to reach large dimensions, different heights and slopes. Precisely because of their size, these types of vegetables absorb all the light and nutrients found in the space where they are planted. For this reason, vegetation does not usually grow at its feet, since it is not capable of developing.
While is true that in the more temperate zones of the planet this type of tree is less abundant, Yes, we can find some other species. Some of the most outstanding are the olive tree and the holm oak. As we get closer to the colder regions, the number of broadleaf evergreens decreases considerably.
Needle-shaped evergreens
Another subcategory is that of needle-like evergreens. The main characteristic of the species belonging to this group is that its leaves are narrow, elongated and scale-shaped or needle-like. In most cases, the foliage is usually covered in resin. Among the tree species with these characteristics, the pine, the conifers and the yew stand out above all.
These evergreens They are more common in cold areas. since they are more resistant to low temperatures and frost. For this reason they are very frequent in countries like Siberia or Scandinavia, for example. We can also find this type of vegetation in the high mountains of America, Europe and Asia, where the climate is usually rather cold.
What are evergreen trees?
There are many evergreen trees that are known today. So that you can get an idea, we are going to comment a little the most famous species belonging to this group.
Scots pine ((Pinus sylvestris))
Among the most popular evergreen trees is the famous Scots pine. It is one of the most common tree species in the northern hemisphere. Among its main characteristics are its needle-shaped evergreen leaves, its height and its wood. It can measure forty meters or more. In addition, it has a very thick trunk. It also stands out for being fast growing and very long-lived, which gives it, among other things, great economic and commercial importance.
Regarding the pine flowers, the male ones are approximately three centimeters long and appear in spikes made up of individual yellow flowers. Secondly, the female ones usually develop in cones of two erect until ending up hanging from the tree.
The olive (European oil)
Another of the most popular evergreen trees is the olive tree. In fact, it is the most outstanding Mediterranean tree that has been highly appreciated since ancient times. It is not surprising, then its delicious fruits, olives, and their oil are obtained from it. In fact, it is the main use it is given: The cultivation of olives, both to obtain the edible fruit and to make the famous olive oil. However, it is also a very popular vegetable in parks and gardens, due to its high ornamental value, its great resistance and the ease of transplanting.
It is a tree of growth that It can reach up to ten meters high. The leaves of this species have a somewhat leathery texture and are greyish-green in color. As for the flowers, these are white in color and grow in clusters. The fruits of this tree can have a round or oval shape and be large or small, depending on the variety.
The cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Also the cypress is one of the most prominent evergreen trees. It is widely used to decorate gardens and parks, either as a hedge or as a natural barrier to protect from the wind. In addition, various parts of this vegetable are used to treat conditions while wood is highly valued in sculpture, cabinetmaking and carpentry.
This arboreal species is capable of reaching a height of up to thirty meters. Its leaves grow in twigs, are scale-shaped, and are usually about five millimeters long. When they are fully developed, the resulting foliage is dark green, compact and dense. It is a dioecious species with flowers belonging to both genera. The female ones produce small cones that house the seeds, while the male ones are distinguished by their yellow color.
The magnolia (magnolia grandiflora)
La magnolia grandiflora, also known as magnolia or magnolia, is native to North America. Its main use is ornamental, making it a highly appreciated species in gardens and parks. It stands out above all for its large, white flowers that are very striking. Plus, they give off a fabulous scent. Flowering takes place in late spring and/or early summer. Although it is true that it does not last long, the flowers appear successively, giving the impression that it is always blooming.
This perennial species can grow to up to thirty meters high and is slow growing. It is a pyramidal tree with a lot of ramification from the base. Its leaves are alternate, shiny green and leathery.
The cork oak (Quercus suber)
Let's continue with the Quercus suber, better known as cork oak. It is a medium-sized tree that is very popular for decorating gardens. Nevertheless, it is also highly appreciated in the cork industry, since its bark is used for its manufacture. It can grow up to 25 meters high and produces the famous acorns, like many other trees belonging to this family. As for the leaves, they are alternate, coriaceous and simple. They usually measure about seven centimeters long and their color is green, the upper side being darker than the underside.
The Bottle Tree (Brachychiton populneus)
Finally we have to highlight a widely cultivated tree in Asutralia, the Brachychiton populneus, also known as bottle tree. In Spain it is usually found in the Canary Islands and along the entire coast. It is a smaller tree than the ones we have mentioned so far, Being able to reach a maximum of ten meters in height if the conditions are right. Its leaves are long-stalked and bright green. The flowers have a beautiful pale pink color and are bell-shaped.
These are just a few examples of the most popular evergreen trees today, but there are many more species and varieties. I hope this information has been interesting for you.