Have you ever noticed that during winter, many trees lose their leaves? They turn brown, yellow, red, or even purple before falling off. But some trees stay green all year round! These special trees are called evergreens.
Evergreens are trees that keep their green leaves throughout the year. Some common evergreens you might see are pine, fir, and spruce trees. These trees have unique leaves that look like thin, pointy needles. We call them needles because of their shape!
Even though needles don’t look like regular leaves, they do the same job: catching sunlight. The tree uses sunlight to make energy, which helps it grow. Evergreens also need water, just like other plants. But in winter, water can be hard to find because it turns into ice and snow.
Evergreens have a clever way to keep water inside. Their needles are covered with a waxy layer that traps water, so the tree doesn’t dry out. This helps them stay green even when it’s cold and dry.
Evergreens like pine, spruce, and fir trees also make cones. These cones hold seeds that can grow into new trees. Trees that make cones are called conifers. Some of the biggest conifers are giant sequoia trees, which can grow very tall and wide. One famous giant sequoia is named General Sherman, and it’s one of the largest trees in the world!
Conifers don’t just grow in cold places. They can also be found in hot, dry areas. For example, cedar and cypress trees are conifers with a different kind of leaf called a scale. Scales are thin and flat, helping the tree save water just like needles do.
Another interesting evergreen is the holly tree. It has broad, flat leaves and bright berries. Holly leaves are often dark green and prickly, with a shiny coating to help save water. Unlike conifers, holly trees don’t make cones. Instead, their seeds are inside the berries, which can be red, white, orange, or even black.
So, even in winter, many trees keep their green color! Next time you’re outside, see if you can spot some of these amazing evergreens. Thanks for learning with us on SciShow Kids!
If you have questions about the world around you, ask a grownup to help you leave a comment or send an email to [email protected]. See you next time!
Evergreen Hunt: Go on a nature walk with a grown-up and try to find different types of evergreen trees. Look for pine, fir, and spruce trees. Can you spot their needle-like leaves? Take a small notebook and draw the different shapes of needles you see. How many different types of evergreens can you find?
Water Experiment: Evergreens have a special waxy coating on their needles to keep water inside. Try this experiment to see how it works! Take two leaves: one from an evergreen tree and one from a tree that loses its leaves in winter. Dip both leaves in water and then shake them gently. Which leaf holds more water? Talk about why you think the evergreen leaf holds more water.
Conifer Cone Collection: Collect different cones from the ground under evergreen trees. Look closely at the cones and see if you can find any seeds inside. Try to match the cones to the trees they came from. How are the cones similar or different? Discuss with a friend or family member why cones are important for evergreen trees.
