There are a lot of trees to choose from but one of the most desired for residential landscaping happens to be the evergreen variety. Unlike regular trees that lose their color and their leaves during the dormant winter months, evergreens remain vibrant all year long, that is if you keep up with regular tree care. Hemlocks, cedars, pines, and spruces are just a few common evergreens you can find around any home. Have you ever wondered why evergreens keep their looks all year long? Five Star Tree Services dives into the science between evergreen trees.
Tree Types
There are two main types of trees to choose from when home landscaping; evergreen trees and deciduous trees. They both gather energy from the sun and water via photosynthesis, but only one type stays vibrant all year, and that is evergreens. These tree types have very strong leaves that are generally long rolled needles. The waxy coating and the special shape allows the leaves of evergreen trees to store water more efficiently This allows them to retain their leaves and their color most of the year.
Do Evergreens Lose Their Leaves?
Evergreens do stay green most of the year and tend not to shed their leaves often. They do shed on occasion, however. Most evergreens will shed their needles once a year or once every other year, usually in the spring. In most cases, shedding is unnoticeable because new growth occurs at the same time. Some species will only shed every two to five years. The bald cypress is one evergreen that will drop all of its leaves once a year to help preserve resources.
Do Evergreen Needles Re-grow?
Although evergreens keep their color, their leaves are not immortal. They shed their needles during the spring and summer which happens to also be the typical growing season. You can spot the older needles in the back while younger needles will be situated in the front. You can tell when the needles are soon to shed when they start to turn brown and lose their color.
How Will I Know If My Evergreen Is Sick or Dying?
A quarter or even as much as a third of the needles from the inner section of the tree shedding is normal. This is a regular part of the tree’s life cycle and those fallen needles serve as a healthy mulch layer. If you notice that needles are being shed from the tip while they are still young, your tree may be sick or even dying. Calling your local tree care service is the best way to diagnose any problems and treat the tree while it still has a chance to survive.
Evergreen Tree Landscaping Suggestions
If you are thinking about adding some evergreen trees to your yard, there is a wide assortment to choose from. They will offer solid color to your yard all year long. Some are perfect for privacy while others can serve as texture or eye candy in your yard. The Concolor Fir, for example, is perfect for hot climates that have very little water while the Eastern Arborvitae is a good choice for those looking for a natural screen. The Eastern Red Cedar is great for partial and full sun, while Norway Spruce is great eye candy with its pyramid shape once mature.
Your Evergreens, Your Way With Five Star
It is important to choose the right evergreen for your climate and your landscape. If you need help selecting trees that will work in your yard, give us a call at (416) 990-3355. We are happy to offer planting and proper tree care in Toronto for your evergreens to ensure they thrive for their entire lifecycle.