Pine Trees of Pennsylvania

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PINE TREES OF PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania is home to a wide variety of of evergreen tree species. Some of which include:

e_hemlock_cones_full http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/ Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
The Eastern Hemlock is often used for construction timber. The Eastern Hemlock is the offical state tree of Pennsylvania and is often found in cool moist habitats. This evergreen produces cones 3/4" long that are egg-shaped and hanging singly from the tips of twigs. Under each small section of the pine cone are 2 small, winged seeds (Cook Forest, 2013).

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
The Scots Pine, or also commonly referred to as Scotch Pine, is able to be grown and propagated in various soil and moisture conditions but does not tolerated shaded areas well. This evergreen tree is often planted and propagated for reforestation and horticultural uses. Cones from the Scots Pine are commonly 1½" - 2½" long and are found in solitary conditions or in pairs. They are usually grayish or reddish in color (Cook Forest, 2013).

American Larch (Larix laricina)
The American Larch is one of the most valuable timber trees found in Pennsylvania and is often found growing in moist or dry woodland conditions. American Larch evergreens are often planted as an ornamental plant in large open areas. Many of Pennsylvania's small wildlife, such as birds, squirrels, and mice, feed on the seeds and soft needles of the American Larch. Cones on the American Larch range about 5"-8" long. Each section of the pine cone usually produces 2 winged seeds, a common trait among many Pennsylvania pines (Cooks Forest, 2013).

Each of these Pennsylvania evergreen species provides a variety of resources unique to their own species. Whether it be producing timbe...

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...ough genetic variability is generally a good quality, sometimes plant characteristics that are considered favorable by commercial propagators can be lost through genetic mutation during sexual reproduction of seed propagation. Also, sexual propagation through seeds is not always feasible for commercial propagators because of the length of time from germination until you have a fully developed plant (Horticulture, 2014).

Sources:

Horticulture. (2014) In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/272484/horticulture

Cook Forest. (2013). Guide to the Common Trees of Pennsylvania. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from Cook Forest Online: http://www.cookforest.com/articles/trees/index.cfm

Tolar, T. (2013). How to Start Evergrees From Seeds. Retrieved April 16, 2014, from eHow: http://www.ehow.com/how_5689263_start-evergreens-seeds.html

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