The state of Kentucky has many deciduous trees that lose leaves in the fall, but also has evergreen trees. Not as much as more northerly states, but enough variety to have you confused. So here’s a list of the most common evergreens in Kentucky with images to easily identify them.
Contents
- 1. Eastern Hemlock (tsuga canadensis)
- 2. Eastern White Pine (pinus strobus)
- 3. Common Juniper (juniperus communis)
- 4. Eastern Red Cedar Tree (juniperus virginiana)
- 5. Northern White Cedar (thuja occidentalis)
- 6. Eastern Hemlock (tsuga canadensis)
- 7. Canada Yew (taxus canadensis)
- 8. Leyland Cypress (cupressus × leylandii)
- 9. Blue Spruce (picea pungens glauca)
- 10. Arborvitae (thuja occidentalis)
- 11. American Holly (ilex opaca)
Kentucky is not a particularly forested state, but it has many parks and nature preserves. It’s also home to Jefferson Memorial Forest, one of the most diverse forests in North America.
Landscape architects like to use evergreen trees to add variety, interest and color to a stand of deciduous trees. They also look nice along the sides of buildings, in parking lot islands and plazas, and other urban settings. They make the landscape less dull to the eyes in winter time.
These are the most common types of evergreen trees in the state of Kentucky with photos. Also see:
1. Eastern Hemlock (tsuga canadensis)
The Eastern Hemlock is an evergreen coniferous tree that likes moist soil and shade. It is found in the Appalachian Mountains and upstate New York, as well as the state of Kentucky.
It grows about 70 feet high and 1 foot in diameter, and can live for 500 years, but many of them were cut down to make room for farming during colonization. They have been reintroduced in parks and nature preserves, but have been slow to spread.
2. Eastern White Pine (pinus strobus)
The Eastern White Pine is an evergreen coniferous tree that likes to grow in the mountains, but can also be found in meadows. It likes full sunlight (though it can survive some shade), and well drained soil. The aroma of the needles has been used for sick building syndrome, though they are not toxic or otherwise harmful.
3. Common Juniper (juniperus communis)
The Common Juniper is a small evergreen coniferous tree that likes to grow on dry, sandy soils such as hillsides and mountains. The berries are used to flavor gin and for medicinal purposes. It does well in rocky soil and full sunlight, but can also grow in partial shade.
4. Eastern Red Cedar Tree (juniperus virginiana)
Another common evergreen tree is the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana). The needles on these trees are thick and small. They work to take in nutrients from their environment. These types of cedar often live along fences or in open areas. The Eastern Red Cedar has a distinctive smell and is used to make cedar chests.
It can grow about 30 feet high and 1 foot in diameter, and does best on dry soils, but also works on wetter soils. It needs full sunlight to partial shade. It’s very drought tolerant and enjoys growing on rocky cliffs or craggy hillsides.
5. Northern White Cedar (thuja occidentalis)
The Northern White Cedar is an evergreen coniferous tree that prefers to grow on moist soils, but can also be found in rocky soil. It’s a small tree that works well for residential purposes or as a foundation planting. In the wild it grows along riverbanks and moist hillsides. It only reaches about 30 feet high by 1 foot wide. It needs full sunlight to partial shade.
6. Eastern Hemlock (tsuga canadensis)
The Eastern Hemlock is an evergreen coniferous tree that likes moist soil and shade. It is found in the Appalachian Mountains the state of Kentucky.
It grows about 70 feet high and 1 foot in diameter, and can live for 500 years. This tree is appreciated for its colorful shades in autumn and its fragrance when the needles are disturbed.
7. Canada Yew (taxus canadensis)
The Canada Yew is a coniferous evergreen tree. It likes moist soils, but can grow on dry soils as well. This species of yew is very poisonous, and the berries are toxic to both animals and people if ingested.
It’s not native to Kentucky but it has become naturalized in the state after being brought there for landscaping.
8. Leyland Cypress (cupressus × leylandii)
The Leyland Cypress is an evergreen coniferous tree that prefers to grow in moist soils, but can be found growing on dry soil. It was originally a hybrid of Monterey Pine and Alaskan Cedar, but has been around long enough for it’s species status to be questioned.
9. Blue Spruce (picea pungens glauca)
The Blue Spruce is an evergreen coniferous tree that likes to grow in well drained soils. It often lives near streams, but can also be found growing on dry hillsides. The needles are sharp, stiff and prickly.
It grows about 60 feet high and 1 foot wide, but needs full sunlight to partial shade. It can live up to 300 years.
10. Arborvitae (thuja occidentalis)
The Arborvitae, also known as the Northern White Cedar, is an evergreen coniferous tree that prefers moist soil. It can reach about 20 feet high by 1 foot wide, but works well in many climates. It requires full sunlight to partial shade.
11. American Holly (ilex opaca)
The American Holly is an evergreen broadleaf tree that likes to grow in well drained soils, but can also be found growing on wet soils. It’s known for it’s bright red berries and glossy leaves.
It doesn’t do well in very hot climates, but does well in areas with mild summers or hotter winters. It reaches about 50 feet high by 1 foot in diameter. This tree needs full sunlight to partial shade.
