List of trees of Canada facts for kids

Canada is a huge country, and its forests are home to many different kinds of shrubs and trees! A long time ago, much of Canada was covered in ice during the Ice Age. This means there aren't as many types of trees as in some other parts of the world. But don't worry, there's still a lot to explore! What grows in one part of Canada might be totally different from another. For example, some trees that like warmer weather can only be found on Canada's mild Pacific coast.

You can also learn about the special official trees for each Province and Territory of Canada by checking out Provincial tree emblems of Canada.

Conifers: Trees with Needles and Cones

Conifers are a big group of trees that usually have needles instead of flat leaves. They also grow cones, which hold their seeds. Many of these trees stay green all year round! Some trees you'll see listed here are introduced. This means they were brought to Canada from other parts of the world, often for planting in gardens or parks.

Firs (Abies)

Firs are tall, cone-shaped trees with soft, flat needles.

• Abies balsamea (Balsam Fir) is very common in eastern Canada.
• Abies grandis (Grand Fir) grows big on the west coast.
• Abies lasiocarpa (Coast Range Subalpine Fir) likes cooler mountain areas.

Junipers (Juniperus)

Junipers are often smaller trees or shrubs. They have scale-like leaves and produce small, berry-like cones.

• Juniperus communis (Common Juniper) is found across Canada.
• Juniperus horizontalis (Creeping Juniper) often grows low to the ground.
• Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain Juniper) is common in the west.

Larches (Larix)

Larches are special conifers because they lose their needles in the fall, just like broadleaf trees! Their needles turn a beautiful golden color.

• Larix laricina (Tamarack Larch) is found in wet, boggy areas.
• Larix occidentalis (Western Larch) is a large tree in British Columbia.

Spruces (Picea)

Spruces are famous for their stiff, sharp needles. Their cones hang down from the branches.

• Picea engelmannii (Engelmann Spruce) grows in western mountains.
• Picea glauca (White Spruce) is one of Canada's most widespread trees.
• Picea mariana (Black Spruce) often grows in northern forests.
• Picea sitchensis (Sitka Spruce) is a giant tree found on the Pacific coast.

Pines (Pinus)

Pines are easy to spot with their long needles that grow in bundles.

• Pinus banksiana (Jack Pine) is a tough tree that grows in sandy soils.
• Pinus contorta subsp. latifolia (Lodgepole Pine) is very common in western Canada.
• Pinus monticola (Western White Pine) is a tall, graceful tree.
• Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa Pine) has long needles and thick bark.
• Pinus strobus (Eastern White Pine) is the tallest tree in eastern Canada.

Douglas-firs (Pseudotsuga)

Douglas-firs are important timber trees. They have soft needles and distinctive cones with little "mouse tails" sticking out.

• Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. menziesii (Coast Douglas-fir) is a huge tree on the west coast.
• Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. glauca (Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir) grows in the mountains.

Yews (Taxus)

Yews are small trees or shrubs with flat, dark green needles and red, berry-like fruits.

• Taxus brevifolia (Western Yew) is found in British Columbia.
• Taxus canadensis (Canada Yew) grows in eastern Canada.

Thujas (Thuja)

Thujas are also known as cedars, though they are not true cedars. They have flat, scale-like leaves.

• Thuja occidentalis (Eastern Arborvitae) is common in eastern Canada.
• Thuja plicata (Western Redcedar) is a very large and important tree on the west coast.

Hemlocks (Tsuga)

Hemlocks have short, flat needles and small, hanging cones.

• Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock) is found in eastern forests.
• Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock) is a major tree on the Pacific coast.

Ginkgos: Ancient Survivors

Ginkgo (Ginkgo)

• Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo) is a very old type of tree, often called a "living fossil." It's originally from Asia and is usually planted in Canadian cities. It has unique fan-shaped leaves.

Broadleaves: Trees with Flat Leaves

Broadleaf trees usually have wide, flat leaves and often lose them in the fall.

Maples (Acer)

Maples are famous for their beautiful fall colors and their unique "helicopter" seeds.

• Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple) has very large leaves on the west coast.
• Acer negundo (Manitoba Maple or Boxelder) is a fast-growing maple.
• Acer rubrum (Red Maple) turns bright red in autumn.
• Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) is the source of maple syrup and has amazing fall colors.
• Acer spicatum (Mountain Maple) is a smaller maple found in cooler areas.

Alders (Alnus)

Alders are often found near water. They have small, cone-like fruits.

• Alnus incana (Speckled Alder) is common across Canada.
• Alnus rubra (Red Alder) is a large alder on the west coast.

Serviceberries (Amelanchier)

Serviceberries are small trees or large shrubs that produce tasty, edible berries in early summer.

• Amelanchier alnifolia (Juneberry or Saskatoon Berry) is well-known for its sweet fruit.

Birches (Betula)

Birches are known for their distinctive bark, which often peels in thin layers.

• Betula alleghaniensis (Yellow Birch) has yellowish, peeling bark.
• Betula papyrifera (Paper Birch) is famous for its white, papery bark.
• Betula populifolia (Gray Birch) is a smaller birch with duller bark.

Hornbeams (Carpinus)

Hornbeams have smooth, gray bark and hard wood.

• Carpinus caroliniana (American Hornbeam) is a small tree with muscle-like ridges on its trunk.

Hickories (Carya)

Hickories are strong trees that produce nuts.

• Carya cordiformis (Bitternut Hickory) has bright yellow buds.
• Carya ovata (Shagbark Hickory) has bark that peels off in long strips.

Chestnuts (Castanea)

• Castanea dentata (American Chestnut) was once a very common tree but is now rare due to a disease.

Hackberries (Celtis)

Hackberries are medium-sized trees with warty bark.

• Celtis occidentalis (Hackberry) is found in southern Canada.

Dogwoods (Cornus)

Dogwoods are known for their beautiful flowers, which are actually modified leaves.

• Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) has large, showy white or pink "flowers."
• Cornus nuttallii (Pacific Dogwood) is the provincial flower of British Columbia.

Beeches (Fagus)

Beeches are large trees with smooth, gray bark and triangular nuts.

• Fagus grandifolia (American Beech) is a common forest tree in eastern Canada.

Ashes (Fraxinus)

Ashes are medium to large trees with strong wood.

• Fraxinus americana (White Ash) is a valuable timber tree.
• Fraxinus nigra (Black Ash) grows in wet areas.
• Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green Ash) is widely planted.

Walnuts (Juglans)

Walnuts are large trees that produce edible nuts.

• Juglans cinerea (Butternut) is also known as White Walnut.
• Juglans nigra (Black Walnut) produces dark, flavorful nuts.

Tulip Tree (Liriodendron)

• Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) has unique, tulip-shaped flowers and leaves.

Apples (Malus)

Wild apples and crab apples are small trees that produce small, tart fruits.

• Malus fusca (Pacific Crab Apple) is native to western Canada.

Mulberries (Morus)

Mulberries produce sweet, edible berries.

• Morus rubra (Red Mulberry) is native to eastern North America.

Oaks (Quercus)

Oaks are strong, long-lived trees that produce acorns.

• Quercus alba (White Oak) has light-colored bark.
• Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak) has large acorns with fringed caps.
• Quercus rubra (Northern Red Oak) is a common oak in eastern Canada.
• Quercus garryana (Garry Oak) is found on Vancouver Island.

Sumacs (Rhus)

Sumacs are often small trees or large shrubs with clusters of red berries.

• Rhus glabra (Smooth Sumac) has smooth stems.
• Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac) has fuzzy branches that look like deer antlers.

Willows (Salix)

Willows are very diverse, with many species ranging from small shrubs to large trees. They often grow near water. There are too many types to list them all here!

Rowans (Sorbus)

Rowans, also called mountain-ashes, are small trees with clusters of bright red or orange berries.

• Sorbus americana (American Rowan) is native to eastern Canada.
• Sorbus sitchensis (Sitka Rowan) is found in western Canada.

Lindens (Tilia)

Lindens, also known as basswoods, are large trees with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers.

• Tilia americana (Basswood) is a common forest tree.

Elms (Ulmus)

Elms are graceful trees, though many have been affected by Dutch Elm Disease.

• Ulmus americana (American Elm or White Elm) is a classic street tree.
• Ulmus rubra (Slippery Elm) has rough leaves.

Viburnums (Viburnum)

Viburnums are often large shrubs or small trees with clusters of berries.

• Viburnum edule (Squashberry) has edible red berries.
• Viburnum trilobum (Highbush Cranberry) also has tart, edible berries.