Not all trees are dormant during the winter.
In the winter, a number of trees thrive, giving the season touches of unexpected green. When looking for winter trees, it's important to know key facts to be able to point them out, especially if you're looking to plant or take care of your own. Knowing a few characteristics of these types of trees will make spotting them much easier.
Black Alder
The black alder is a winter tree that looks speckled in the cold weather. Its scientific name is the Alnus glutinosa, and it belongs to the birch family. It looks similar to the birch, with a tall, skinny trunk. In the winter, black alders lose most of their leaves, though they retain their small seed-like cones throughout the winter. It can smell like an evergreen when its twigs are crushed.
Ohio Buckeye
The Ohio buckeye, found across the United States, holds up well in the winter. Because of this, it can be found in the most northern parts of the United States as well as in Canada. Its scientific name is the Aesculus glabra. It's a member of the horse chestnut family. It retains its small seed-like cones throughout the winter.
Red Cedar
The red cedar, similar to the evergreen, keeps its deep green needles throughout the winter. Its scientific name is the Juniperus virginiana. It's a member of the cypress family. Although it keeps its needles in the winter, it will lose some of its reddish bark. Its small, rounded fruit is similar to fruit produced by a juniper tree.
Common Elderberry
The common elderberry is very similar to its sister, the red elderberry. Both hold up well in the winter, retaining their reddish-green leaves and small fruits. The common elderberry's scientific name is the Sambucus canadensis. Part of the honeysuckle family, this tree shares similar attributes with the lilac bush.
Balsam Fir
The balsam fir, part of the pine family, is a popular tree in the winter, as it's often used in homes as a Christmas tree. Its scientific name is the Abies balsamea. It shares attributes with the evergreen, as it also keeps its bright, green needles throughout the colder months. The fir develops sizable cones that it keeps during the winter.
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