Norway spruce
Picea abies
The fastest-growing of all spruces, the norway spruce (Picea abies) makes for a good roosting spot for owls and hawks. Its wood is used for paper, construction lumber, and musical instruments, and its needles can be used to brew spruce beer. It is also a popular choice for Christmas trees.
Canada yew
Taxus canadensis
Canada yew (Taxus canadensis) is a conifer tree native to northeastern North America. Canada yew produces poisonous toxins called taxanes. All parts of this plant are toxic.
Black crowberry
Empetrum nigrum
The fruits of black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) are edible. However, they aren’t as flavorful as other kinds of berries. That’s why if you’re making jams or jellies, you should mix them with berries that have a more full-bodied taste. The fruit also contains high levels of anthocyanin, a natural dye. It was an important traditional food source for the Inuit.
Mugo pine
Pinus mugo
Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) is a pine tree species native to Europe. These relatively small pine trees are popular in landscaping due to their convenient size. Mugo pine gives off an aromatic pine smell.
Common douglas-fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
The Common douglas-fir is named after Scottish botanist David Douglas, who discovered it. Small mammals rely heavily on the seeds for nutrition. Many Native American tribes utilized the bark, resin, and pine needles to prepare herbal remedies for various ailments. Common douglas-fir is often used in heavy timber buildings due to its sturdy wood.
Blue spruce
Picea pungens
The blue spruce (Picea pungens) is an evergreen conifer with a beautiful, thick crown. It gets the “blue” name because its needles have a bluish tint, unlike other pine trees whose needles are a simpler green. This unique appearance has helped to make the blue spruce one of the world’s favorite ornamental conifers, and it’s especially popular in Christmas tree production. Historically, these trees have also served other ornamental purposes.