It’s always a sure sign of winter’s arrival when the beautiful autumn foliage falls to the ground leaving bare branches.  Trees with leaves that change into vivid fall colors and drop their leaves are called deciduous trees. However, there is a bit of color to be found during the bleak winter season. Look no further than evergreen trees. Evergreen trees are classified as conifers. They have needle-like foliage that doesn’t drop all at once.

Spruce, pine, cedar and fir trees are all considered evergreens and are the most recognized during the winter season. Conifer wood is described as softwood and is used in general construction.  Conifer wood can typically be found as fence posts and is also used as pulpwood for paper. The leaves or needles of a coniferous tree are long, thin and sometimes scaly. Evergreen needles slow down the evaporation of the tree’s water so that it can conserve water throughout the cold winter months. A conifer’s seed can be found on a cone-shaped structure that grows in clusters on the tree. The seeds are actually protected by the outer layers or scales of the cone. When it’s time, the scales open and the cones fall to the ground releasing the seed.

Evergreen cones can be used in many different ways. Some people like to decorate with them. Pine cones make a great campfire starter. They are lightweight, easy to store and add a wonderful scent to a the fire. Pine cones can also be used to make a bird feeder for wintering birds. Tie a piece of string on the cone, spread some peanut butter around the cone and sprinkle with bird seed, then hang in a tree. This simple craft is a great way to provide sustenance to animals when food is scarce.

First Published: December 1, 2016, 5:00 a.m.