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conifers

25 Types of Evergreen Trees to Consider for Your Yard

Compare 25 evergreen tree groups and examples, then check local hardiness, site conditions and mature size before choosing one for your yard.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 5 min read
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There is no universal list of evergreen trees that suits every yard: climate, soil, available space and mature size all matter. Use these 25 trees and tree groups as a starting point, then confirm local suitability and mature dimensions with a regional extension service or reputable nursery before buying. “Evergreen” describes foliage retained year-round; it does not mean every tree is a conifer, nor that every conifer stays green all year.

What to check before choosing an evergreen tree

  • Mature size: Compare both height and spread with the space available, including room from buildings, utilities and neighboring plants. Evergreen trees can vary dramatically: Korean fir is described as about 20–30 feet tall and 10 feet wide at maturity, while giant sequoia can reach 300 feet in its native Sierra Nevada habitat; about 60 feet is typical on the East Coast. Those figures reflect specific settings, not a promise for every tree.
  • Local climate and site: Match the tree to your winter conditions, soil and moisture. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends choosing plants with a good history of suitability for the site and soils. Its species guidance is Minnesota-oriented, not a nationwide planting list.
  • Purpose and form: Consider whether you need screening, a windbreak or a specimen tree. Check the tree’s mature density and shape rather than relying on its appearance as a small nursery plant.
  • Foliage and seasonal behavior: Evergreen plants keep leaves or needles through the year. Some conifers, however, are deciduous and lose their foliage seasonally.

Evergreens can retain foliage year-round and provide windbreaks and shelter for animals, according to University of Minnesota Extension. That benefit does not make every evergreen appropriate for every yard.

25 evergreen trees and groups to investigate

The list below is a set of starting points, not a ranking or a recommendation for all regions. Several examples come from Minnesota-focused guidance; others have dimensions reported for particular locations. Verify the exact species or cultivar, tree form and mature size for your own region before planting.

  1. Arborvitae (white cedar)

    A common evergreen conifer group often considered for screening. The Minnesota Extension windbreak reference includes white cedar, but notes that deer may require protection. Confirm the species’ suitability and mature width locally.

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  2. Ashe juniper

    A regionally contextual juniper named in Minnesota Extension’s windbreak reference. Check local climate suitability, mature spread and whether its form fits the intended space.

  3. California incense cedar

    An upright, narrow conifer example. The Arnold Arboretum publication describes it as about 50 feet tall in the East; that regional figure should not be treated as a universal mature height.

  4. Eastern hemlock

    Named in Minnesota Extension’s windbreak reference. Before considering it, check local growing conditions and the mature dimensions for the specific species and cultivar available to you.

  5. Eastern red cedar

    A regionally contextual conifer in Minnesota Extension’s windbreak list. That source cautions that eastern red cedar can be aggressive, so check regional guidance and give its eventual size and spread careful consideration.

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  6. Eastern white pine

    A pine included in Minnesota Extension’s windbreak reference. Tall pines may not suit every region or landscape, so compare the mature tree with the space available rather than selecting by its young-plant size.

  7. Fir

    Firs are a distinct conifer group, but suitability and mature size vary by species. Look up the exact fir rather than treating the group name as a planting specification.

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  8. Jack pine

    Named in Minnesota Extension’s regional windbreak guidance. Confirm that its local site requirements and mature dimensions work for your yard before choosing it.

  9. Juniper

    Junipers are a common evergreen conifer group with varied forms. Identify the exact species or cultivar and verify its mature size and regional fit; a group name alone is not enough to assess a planting site.

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  10. Korean fir

    The Arnold Arboretum describes Korean fir as roughly 20–30 feet tall and 10 feet wide at maturity, with ornamental purple-blue cones. Treat those dimensions as a reported reference, and check the cultivar and growing conditions for your location.

  11. Meyer spruce

    Included in Minnesota Extension’s windbreak reference. Use regional guidance to confirm its mature height and spread and whether its site needs match your yard.

  12. Pine

    Pines are a broad, familiar evergreen conifer group, but their size and regional suitability vary. Minnesota Extension’s windbreak guidance cautions that some tall pines may not fit a particular region or landscape; verify the exact species before planting.

  13. Ponderosa pine

    A named example in Minnesota Extension’s windbreak reference. Its inclusion there is not a nationwide recommendation; confirm local suitability and available space using regional guidance.

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  14. Red pine

    Another pine named in the Minnesota-oriented windbreak reference. Check the mature dimensions and site fit for your region before treating it as a yard tree option.

  15. Slash pine

    Listed in Minnesota Extension’s windbreak reference, which is regionally contextual. Confirm that local climate and site conditions suit this species before planting.

  16. Spruce

    Spruces are a common evergreen conifer group. Since size and site requirements differ among species, choose by the exact tree’s local profile rather than by the group name alone.

  17. Virginia pine

    Named in Minnesota Extension’s windbreak guidance. Check regional suitability and mature dimensions, especially if the yard has limited room.

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  18. White spruce

    A spruce listed in Minnesota Extension’s windbreak reference. Use local horticultural information to confirm its mature size and suitability for the planting site.

  19. Thuja occidentalis ‘Wareana’

    The Arnold Arboretum describes this cultivar as dense and up to 10 feet tall in a hedge collection. That context does not establish its dimensions in every setting; confirm its expected size and form locally.

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  20. Giant sequoia

    A dramatic example of why location matters. The Arnold Arboretum describes giant sequoias as reaching 300 feet in their native Sierra Nevada habitat, with 60 feet typical on the East Coast. Those figures are tied to different geographic settings, not a forecast for an individual yard.

  21. Cedar

    Cedar is used for several different conifer groups and names. Identify the specific tree behind a nursery label, then check its evergreen habit, mature dimensions and regional suitability.

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  22. Larch

    Larches are conifers, but they are deciduous: they shed their needles seasonally. Do not choose a larch if year-round foliage is essential to your plan.

  23. Bald cypress

    Bald cypress is another deciduous conifer, so it does not provide evergreen foliage throughout the year. Its inclusion here helps distinguish conifers from evergreens, not as a year-round screening choice.

  24. Dawn redwood

    Dawn redwood is a conifer that loses its foliage seasonally. Consider it only if a deciduous tree suits your plan rather than assuming that all conifers are evergreen.

  25. Golden larch

    Golden larch is also a deciduous conifer. Its seasonal foliage makes it different from trees selected specifically to stay leafy or needled through winter.

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Boxwood and rhododendron are broadleaf evergreens, but are commonly grown as shrubs rather than tree-form landscape selections. If considering a trained or tree-form plant, verify its form and mature dimensions with a local source.

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Plan the planting around the site

After narrowing the list, confirm the selected tree’s dimensions, local hardiness, soil and moisture needs, light requirements and expected form. For planting depth, spacing, watering, winter protection and deer protection, follow guidance specific to the species and your location. University of Minnesota Extension provides links to evergreen selection and care resources and windbreak planning guidance; local extension services can help determine what applies in other regions.

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