PENNSYLVANIA PINES Pennsylvania is home to a wide variety of evergreen tree species. Some of which include: e_hemlock_cones_full http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/ Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) Eastern hemlock is often used for construction lumber. Eastern hemlock is the official state tree of Pennsylvania and is often found in cool, moist habitats. This evergreen produces 3/4 inch long cones that are egg-shaped and hang singly from the tips of the twigs. Under each small section of the pine cone are 2 small winged seeds (Cook Forest, 2013). Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) Scots pine, or also commonly called Scots pine, can be grown and propagated in various soil and moisture conditions, but does not tolerate shaded areas well. This evergreen tree is often planted and propagated for reforestation and horticultural uses Scots pine is commonly 1½ - 2½" long and found in solitary or paired conditions. They are usually grayish or reddish in color (Cook Forest, 2013). American larch (Larix laricina) American larch is one of the most valuable timber trees found in Pennsylvania and is often found growing in moist or dry forested conditions. American larch evergreens are often planted as ornamentals in large open areas, which many small Pennsylvania wildlife, such as birds, squirrels and mice feed on the seeds and soft needles of the American Larch. The cones of the American Larch are approximately 5"-8" long. Each section of the pine cone usually produces 2 winged seeds, a common feature of many Pennsylvania pines (Cooks Forest, 2013). Each of these Pennsylvania evergreen species provides a variety of resources unique to its species. Whether producing lumber... middle of the paper... although genetic variability is generally good quality, sometimes plant characteristics considered favorable by commercial propagators can be lost through genetic mutation during sexual reproduction of the seed propagation. Furthermore, sexual propagation through seeds is not always feasible for commercial propagators due to the time between germination and obtaining a fully developed plant (Horticulture, 2014). Sources: Horticulture. (2014) In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/272484/horticultureCook Forest. (2013). Guide to Common Trees of Pennsylvania. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from Cook Forest Online: http://www.cookforest.com/articles/trees/index.cfmTolar, T. (2013). How to Start Evergrees from Seed. Retrieved April 16, 2014, from eHow: http://www.ehow.com/how_5689263_start-evergreens-seeds.html