Types of Long-Needled Evergreen Trees
- Some pine trees have very long needles.pine tree image by pershing from Fotolia.com
While any plant that has leaves during all seasons is considered an evergreen, most people think of conifer trees when they think of evergreens. These trees are gymnosperms, meaning their seeds form outside the ovum in the form of cones. A wide variety of evergreens with needles exists, with some needles reaching up to 5 inches in length. - The limber pine tree (Pinus flexilis), also known as the Rocky Mountain pine or the white pine, is a relatively common pine tree found primarily in the western states, mostly in the Rocky Mountain region but also to California, according to the Gymnosperm Database. The tree typically grows between 50 and 85 feet tall when mature, with needles up to about 3 inches in length. The tree prefers dry, rocky slopes and can be found all the way to the timber line in high alpine areas.
- The Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) is a large evergreen tree that can grow up to 50 feet tall and 25 feet wide, with needles between 3 and 5 inches in length, according to Colorado State University. The tree starts off as a pyramidal shaped plant while young but grows into a round, flat-topped tree in maturity. The tree tolerates a wide range of soil types and can be used in urban environments.
- The European larch (Larix decidua) is a medium sized evergreen found throughout central Europe from France to the Carpathian Mountains, according to the Gymnosperm Database. Growing to a maximum height of about 45 feet and 18 feet wide, in maturity the European larch has needles up to about 2 inches long. The tree is very tolerant of cold temperatures and is commonly used as a timber resource throughout Europe.
