Category: Trees
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Arbutus
I recently hiked a regional park that contained several magnificent Arbutus stands. The Arbutus is Canada’s only native broad leaf evergreen, and is quite a sight to behold in the fall when it sheds its bark revealing smooth younger bark underneath that can be from pale green to cinnamon-red. Straits…
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Reishi
It is mushroom season on the west coast of Canada, and I have been swept up in the enthusiasm. In addition to having some wild foraged chanterelles this past week (delicious and nutritious), I also met a mushroom farmer who is producing a variety of different mycological products. I chatted…
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Garry Oak
Notes: very small range in Canada, confined to the West Coast, primarily on Vancouver Island. Considered to be an endangered species in Canada. It is the only oak native to British Columbia. Although not used for timber, the Garry Oak is valued for its visual appeal, and as a natural…
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Sugar Maple
Image source: unknown The Sugar Maple is an iconic Canadian tree best known for its vibrant red foliage in the fall. The Canadian Sugar Maple is renowned for its stunning autumn foliage, with leaves transforming into a brilliant display of red, orange, and yellow. It is also highly valued for…
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Larch (Tamarack)
Order: Pinales – Family: Pinaceae – Genus: Larix – Scientific name: Larix laricina Growth Patterns: Grows to a narrow pyramidal crown, reaching up to 20 metres (65feet) in height. The trunk can be 30-40cm (10-15 inches) in diameter. Under ideal conditions it is considered a fast growing tree. Leaves: The…
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American Elm
Image: https://www.honey-plants.com/calendar/virginia/american-elm/ Order: Rosales – Family: Ulmaceae – Genus: Ulmus – Species: Ulmus Americana L. Growth Patterns: American elm will grow to a height of 60 – 80 feet and a spread of 40 – 70 feet. Leaves: Dark green oval shaped 3″ – 6″ with alternating simple arrangement. Serrated…
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Colorado Blue Spruce
Order: Pinales – Family: Pinaceae – Genus: picea – Species: P. pungens Growth Patterns: reaches 60-80 feet in height, and will have a 40-70 foot spread when fully grown. Canopy is conical with dense horizontal branches. Leaves: Evergreen needles are silvery blue-green and 1-1.5 inches stiff with sharp points. Attached…
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Jack Pine – Pinus banksiana
Jack pine may be the most well known conifer on the prairies, if not in all of Canada. To many people the name Jack Pine is synonymous with all needle bearing conifers found across Canada. The reality however is that Jack Pine does refer to a specific species within the…
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Balsam Fir – Abies balsamea
Working through the conifers, we come to the Fir. Only one species of indigenous fir (Balsam Fir) is listed for Saskatchewan: Order: Pinales – Family: Pinaceae – Genus: Abies – Species: A. balsamea Growth Patterns: In our climate the balsam fir can be expected to grow to between 45-75 feet.…
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Spruce (white) – Picea glauca
There are a great many types of spruce tree, and while many variations can be found in urban ornamental settings, the most common spruce in Saskatchewan is the white spruce. Growth Patterns: White spruce grows to a height of 40-60 feet, and when mature has a spread of 10-20 feet.…
The Wild 