Canada's national forest inventory includes many native conifer species. All except the larches are evergreens. Most are in the pine family, except for yews (in the yew family) and junipers, Alaska cedars and thuja cedars (in the cypress family).
Softwood from North American conifers has a variety of commercial uses. The sturdier timber is milled for plywood, wood veneer and construction framing, including structural support beams and studs. Logs can be fashioned into posts, poles and railroad ties. Less sturdy timber is often ground and processed into pulpwood, principally for papermaking. Resins from sap yield wood tar, turpentine or other terpenes. Some resins and other tree products contain dangerous toxins (not generally listed below).
Key Provinces and territories (see the Distribution column): AB Alberta, BC British Columbia, MB Manitoba, NB New Brunswick, NL Newfoundland and Labrador, NS Nova Scotia, NT Northwest Territories, NU Nunavut, ON Ontario, PE Prince Edward Island, QC Quebec, SK Saskatchewan, YT Yukon
Conifers
+Species and a common nameNotes and commercial usesDistribution in Canada
provincial tree of:
;growth rateLimits for soil pH, annual precipitation and low temperatureToleranceto andShadeLandscapes, bark and cones with foliageAbies amabilis (Pacific silver fir)Can reach in height. The timber is lightweight, with low resin content. The species can easily be distinguished from non-fir conifers by the grey, blistery trunk and rigid branches. Uses: timber; landscaping, pulpwood, veneers, winter holiday decorations.BC
none
; slowpH 3.3–6.0Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantAbies balsamea (balsam fir)A significant source of food and shelter for wildlife. Horizontal blisters in the bark contain aromatic Canada balsam. The lightweight timber is economically important in Canada.
Uses: timber; landscaping, pulpwood, terpenes, veneers, winter holiday decorations.All provinces except BC
NB
; slowpH 4.0–6.0Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantAbies grandis (grand fir)Can reach in height. The foliage has a distinct orange-like scent. The wood is soft, and not as durable as in other fir species. Uses: timber; landscaping, pulpwood, veneers, winter holiday decorations.BC
none
; moderatepH 4.5–7.5Fire:tolerantShade:tolerantAbies lasiocarpa (subalpine fir)Provides habitat for wildlife and nutrition for livestock. Canada's inventory includes Abies bifolia, now considered a synonym of the variety A. lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa.
Uses: timber; landscaping, pulpwood, winter holiday decorations.AB BC NT YT
YT
; slowpH 4.0–6.5Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantCallitropsis nootkatensis (Alaska cedar)Formerly a significant timber tree providing durable, multi-use wood. Most of the trees have already been cleared, aside from limited numbers in protected areas. It is listed as Chamaecyparis nootkatensis in Canada's inventory.
Uses: timber; landscaping.BC
none
; slowpH 5.5–7.0Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantJuniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper)Usually a shrub or small tree. The wood is durable, especially when seasoned, and suitable for furniture. The resins are aromatic. Uses: landscaping, posts, veneers.AB BC SK
none
; slowpH 5.0–8.5Fire:intolerantShade:intolerantJuniperus virginiana (eastern red cedar)An important support species for wildlife throughout its range. Although the tree has limited commercial use, the wood is highly valued for its appearance and robustness. The resins are aromatic. Uses: landscaping, posts, veneers, winter holiday decorations.ON QC
none
; slowpH 4.7–8.0Fire:intolerantShade:mediumLarix laricina (tamarack)Adapted to a variety of poor soil conditions, including peatland. The tree has one of the widest distributions among North American conifers. Uses: timber; landscaping, posts, pulpwood.All provinces and territories
NT
; rapidpH 5.5–6.5Fire:intolerantShade:intolerantLarix lyallii (subalpine larch)Distinguishable from western larch by its woolly buds and new growth. In its range, the subalpine larch is often found growing higher on cold mountain slopes than other trees. Uses: landscaping.AB BC
none
; slowpH 3.9–5.6Fire:intolerantShade:intolerantLarix occidentalis (western larch)The largest larch, and the most important one commercially for its timber. Also a significant source of arabinogalactan, a gum used as a thickening agent. Uses: timber; landscaping, posts, pulpwood, veneers.AB BC
none
; rapidpH 6.0–7.0Fire:intolerantShade:intolerantPicea engelmannii (Engelmann spruce)Typically contains many small wood knots that lower the grade of the timber. The light colour, long fibres and very low resin content contribute to the quality of its pulpwood. Uses: timber; landscaping, posts, pulpwood, terpenes, veneers.AB BC
none
; slowpH 6.0–8.0Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantPicea glauca (white spruce)One of the main sources of Canadian pulpwood and construction timber. It is also used to build furniture, pallets and musical instruments.
Uses: timber; pulpwood.All provinces and territories
MB
; slowpH 4.0–8.2Fire:intolerantShade:mediumPicea mariana (black spruce)Mainly harvested for pulpwood; construction uses are limited by the small size (for a spruce). The pale yellow wood is lightweight but strong. Birds commonly seen in groves in summer months include ruby-crowned kinglets, ovenbirds and Setophaga warblers.
Uses: timber; landscaping, pulpwood, terpenes, winter holiday decorations.All provinces and territories
NL
; slowpH 4.7–6.5Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantPicea rubens (red spruce)The straight-grained wood is lightweight but strong. It is the most popular choice in many stringed instruments for its resonance. Uses: timber; posts, pulpwood, terpenes, veneers.All eastern provinces
NS
; moderatepH 4.0–5.8Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantPicea sitchensis (Sitka spruce)The largest spruce, and one of the most prominent along the western Canadian coastline. The strong wood is used in light aircraft, masts and turbine blades. It is also used in many musical instruments for its resonance. Uses: timber; pulpwood, terpenes.BC
none
; moderatepH 3.9–5.7Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantPinus albicaulis (whitebark pine)A slow-growing and long-lived pioneer species that helps reduce the movement of soil and snow. The seeds are a source of nutrition for birds, small mammals, black bears and grizzly bears. Uses: no significant economic uses.AB BC
none
; slowpH 4.8–8.0Fire:intolerantShade:mediumPinus banksiana (jack pine)Sometimes milled for utility poles and railroad ties. It has the broadest distribution of any pine species in the country. Uses: timber; landscaping, posts, pulpwood, terpenes.All except YT, NU
none
; rapidpH 6.0–8.2Fire:intolerantShade:intolerantPinus contorta (lodgepole pine)Used in paneling, and sometimes milled for utility poles and railroad ties. The trees usually grow rapidly when young and can be harvested economically. Canada's inventory includes the varieties P. contorta var. contorta and P. contorta var. latifolia.
Uses: timber; posts, pulpwood, terpenes, veneers.AB BC NT SK YT
AB
; rapidpH 6.2–7.5Fire:intolerantShade:intolerantPinus flexilis (limber pine)A slow-growing species not usually planted for its timber, but sometimes harvested along with other species. It is adapted to harsh climates, including windy and dry conditions, and provides the only tree cover available on some sites. The species is long-lived; one specimen was found to be 1650 years old. Uses: timber; landscaping, edible seedsAB BC
none
; slowpH 5.7–6.5Fire:intolerantShade:intolerantPinus monticola (Western white pine)Straight-grained, lightweight and low in resin, the timber is often used in framing and woodworking. Uses: timber; landscaping, pulpwood, terpenes, veneers.AB BC
none
; rapidpH 5.5–7.0Fire:intolerantShade:mediumPinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine)Can reach more than in height. It is a widely distributed tree in western North America, and one of the main sources of timber, with a relatively fast growth rate. Uses: timber; landscaping, posts, pulpwood, terpenes, veneers.BC
none
; moderatepH 5.0–9.0Fire:tolerantShade:intolerantPinus resinosa (red pine)One of the fastest-growing and most frequently planted conifer species in Canada. The wood is straight-grained and moderately hard. Some of it is milled for railroad ties and cabin logs. Uses: timber; landscaping, posts, pulpwood, veneers, winter holiday decorations.All eastern provinces + MB
none
; rapidpH 4.5–6.0Fire:intolerantShade:intolerantPinus rigida (pitch pine)Rigida (rigid) refers to the needles and cone scales. The wood, resinous and rot-resistant, is suitable for shipbuilding, mine timbers, fencing and railroad ties. Uses: landscaping, posts, pulpwood, terpenes, winter holiday decorations.NS ON QC
none
; rapidpH 3.5–5.1Fire:intolerantShade:intolerantPinus strobus (eastern white pine)One of the most commercially important trees in eastern North America, in part due to its rapid growth. The timber is durable but soft enough for woodworking. Uses: timber; landscaping, posts, pulpwood, veneers, winter holiday decorations.All eastern provinces + MB
ON
; rapidpH 4.0–6.5Fire:intolerantShade:mediumPseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir)Worldwide, one of the most commercially successful timber trees. Canada's inventory includes the varieties P. menziesii var. glauca and P. menziesii var. menziesii.
Uses: timber; landscaping, posts, pulpwood, terpenes, veneers, winter holiday decorations.AB BC
none
; moderatepH 5.0–7.5Fire:intolerantShade:mediumTaxus brevifolia (western yew)A shade-tolerant tree of the Yew family. When competing with taller and faster-growing trees, it becomes part of the undergrowth. The seed cones have red arils.
Uses: landscaping, posts.AB BC
none
; slowpH 6.2–7.5Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantThuja occidentalis (eastern white-cedar)The termite- and rot-resistant wood, durable in a range of outdoor conditions, is used in fencing, cabin logs and roof shingles. Uses: timber; landscaping, posts, pulpwood, veneers.MB and all eastern provinces except NL
none
; slowpH 5.2–7.0Fire:intolerantShade:mediumThuja plicata (western redcedar)The only native Thuja species in western North America. The lightweight, durable wood makes good insulation, and is often used in shingles and other roofing materials. Uses: timber; landscaping, posts, pulpwood, veneers.AB BC
BC
; slowpH 5.1–7.1Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantTsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock)Shade-tolerant, long-lived and slow-growing. Historically, it provided tannin for curing leather. Uses: timber; landscaping, pulpwood.All eastern provinces except NL
none
; slowpH 4.2–5.7Fire:mediumShade:tolerantTsuga heterophylla (western hemlock)Used widely in construction. It is also a good source of wood fibre. Uses: timber; landscaping, pulpwood, veneers.AB BC
none
; slowpH 4.5–6.0Fire:intolerantShade:tolerantTsuga mertensiana (mountain hemlock)Grows well in snow-covered subalpine zones. Uses: timber; landscaping, pulpwood, veneers.BC
none
; slowpH 4.5–7.3Fire:intolerantShade:tolerant
Genera