In Ontario, we are lucky to have so many species of evergreen trees. At a glance, it can be difficult to tell them apart. Even when searching for differences between them, it can be hard to distinguish them from each other.
Fir, spruce, and pine trees are all evergreen trees found in Ontario. Each of them have their own unique characteristics and subtle differences that can help you identify them – if you know what to look for!
What are Conifer Trees?
Conifers are the name given to a specific type of woody plant that are known for staying green all year round and having needle-like leaves. This includes evergreen species like fir, spruce, and pine, as well as others like cypress, yew, juniper, and cedar. Conifer trees can withstand freezing conditions and thrive in cold temperatures. They are the fastest-growing type of tree in Canada!
Despite being “evergreen”, spruces, pines, and firs do lose their needles. However, this happens gradually (not all in one season like deciduous trees), so they keep their green colour all year round.
How to Identify a Spruce Tree
Spruce trees are well known for being a popular choice for Christmas trees because of their perfect pyramid shape.
The best way to identify a spruce tree is by their needle shape and the way they grow on the branch. The needles have four distinct sides and are not flat. They are attached to the twigs by a woody joint or peg, called a sterigmata. If a spruce twig is bare, it will have a spiky or jagged look because of these woody joints. When you roll a spruce needle between your fingers, you can feel each distinct side easily.
Spruce cones hang down similar to how pine cones hang down. The difference between spruce and pine cones is that spruce cones are softer, more flexible, and have thinner scales. You can easily bend a spruce cone with your hands, which is something you aren’t able to do with fir or pine cones.
Spruce tree bark can be identified by being loose, furrowed, and scaly. The patchy bark on spruce trees is is generally grey, and some species have reddish-brown, grey-brown, or dark green-brown colours as well. You will find it easily to flake off pieces of bark from healthy spruce trees (although, you should avoid doing this!).
Common types of spruce trees in Canada include:
- Colorado spruce
- Norway spruce
- Black spruce
- Alberta Spruce
- White spruce
How to Identify a Pine Tree
Pine trees have very distinct needle-like leaves that can help you easily identify a pine tree. Pine needles grow in clusters on the branch, which is different than other types of evergreen trees. They are very smooth and flexible. There are between two and seven needles in a small bundle attached to the twig. These bundles are called fascicles. The bundles of needles are held together on the twig with what looks like black tape (and can feel sticky to the touch).
Pine needles also tend to be longer than spruce or fir needles. Some needles on pine trees can grow up to 40 centimetres long – the longest leaves on any type of conifer tree.
Pine cones are distinguished by their thick, hard, woody scales. Pine cones are inflexible and the largest of all conifer species. They can vary in shape, some being longer and conical while others being egg-like. They grow downwards, hanging down from the branches.
From a distance, pine trees also look less dense than other evergreens. Their branches are less dense compared with spruce and fir, making them seem thinner than other species.
Pine tree bark is usually smooth when the tree is young and gradually becomes orangey-red as it ages. Some species of pine have smooth bark that can lightly flake as it grows. Most pine species, however, develop thick, scaly bark that is orangey-brown to grey.
Some common species of pine trees include:
- Eastern white pine
- Bristlecone pine
- Sugar pine
- Scots pine
- Loblolly pine
Identifying Fir Trees
Fir trees are another popular Christmas tree because they retain their needles for a large amount of time after being cut down. They also have a symmetrical, pyramidal shape that makes them perfect for the holiday season.
Fir trees can be identified by their needles. They are similar to spruce needles in that they are short and grow from a single point on a branch. They attach to the branch with something that looks like a suction cup.
Differing from spruce trees, however, is that fir needles are smooth and flat, with an almost “squashed” appearance. Because they are so flat, they will not roll between your fingers. Their needles are also distinguished by two whitish lines on their underside known as stomatal. These help to give some species of fir tree a silvery-blue appearance from the forest floor in contrast with the deep green on the upper side of the foliage.
You can immediately identify fir trees by their cones. Fir cones are the only type of conifer cones that the cone grows upwards rather than droops. Fir cones are generally cylindrical, hard, and inflexible. They can grow up to ten inches and resemble candles sitting on the branches. The cones produced by fir trees can also be very colourful – purple hues, white, green, and dark blue are all commonly seen in immature cones. Once they have matured, they are usually brown and a little bit softer.
Fir tree bark is generally smooth and grey when the tree is young and becomes thick, scaly, and furrowed with ridges running vertically as it matures. The bark on fir trees is usually more deeply furrowed than other types of conifers.
Some of the most common types of fir trees in Canada are:
- Noble fir
- Balsam Fir
- Grand fir
- Fraser Fir
- Douglas fir
And now you know! Next time you see a cone on the ground or a tree sporting needles, you’ll be able to distinguish if it is a pine, a spruce, or a fir.
