Coniferous
Coniferous trees are a type of tree that typically have needle-like or scale-like leaves and produce seeds in cones. These trees are predominantly evergreen, meaning they retain their foliage year-round, providing greenery through all seasons. Common examples of coniferous trees include pines, spruces, firs, and cedars. They are well-adapted to various climates, often thriving in cooler regions, and are known for their hardiness and ability to grow in diverse environments. Conifers play a vital role in ecosystems, providing habitats for wildlife and contributing to timber, paper, and resin production.
Coniferous #1 - WHITE SPRUCE
White Spruce
Epinette Blanche
Picea glauca (Moench) Voss
gaawaandgwaatik, wadab (Ojibwe)
A typical tree of the Boreal Forest Region, it grows in a wide variety
of soils and climates, almost anywhere in Canada. Rarely forms pure stands. Commonly grows with Trembling Aspen, White Birch, Balsam Fir. Pliable roots were used to lace birch bark on Indigenous canoes.
WHITE SPRUCE, with an average height of 24m and 60 cm diameter, has a shallow, deep, saucer shaped root system. A conical crown & lower branches hides a tapering trunk. Slender, cylindrical cones open in fall and winter.
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Coniferous #3B BLUE SPRUCE (Hoopsii)
BLUE SPRUCE (Hoopsii)
L’EPINETTE du COLORADO
Picea pungens “Hoopsii”
A Colorado Blue Spruce cultivar, Hoopsii is known for its silvery blue needles that maintain their colour through winter, It is also known for its “Zone 1” cold hardiness. It has a pyramidal form, reaching 12m height and 6m spread. It is a low maintenance tree.
“HOOPSII” has a tendancy to develop multiple leaders, and may
look irregularly shaped when young. They often require selective pruning. It will grow up to 15 cm per year in ideal northern sites. Winner of “Award of Garden Merit” – Royal Horticultural Society.
In memory of Hugh Moore
Coniferous #3C BLUE SPRUCE (Royal Knight)
Blue Spruce (Royal Knight)
L’epinette du colorado
Picea gpungens (Royal Knight)
A medium sized, dense pyramidal conifer, this tree might attain 15m height and 5m spread under ideal Zone 3 conditions. Life span is 80 years. Needles remain a bright blue colour all year. It has stiff horizontal branches requiring minor pruning of expected dieback.
Royal Knight is an ideal ornamental choice for large lots or parks as it has a strong leader. Potentially invasive in woodland settings. Common to Christmas tree orchards. It will withstand drought, but not standing water. Deer avoid it as they do not like its taste.
In memory of John D. Frey (Dean, Haileybury School of Mines)
John D. Frey ,B.A.Sc, B.Ed., P.Eng.
John ‘Jack’ Frey arrived in Haileybury in 1954 as the newest faculty member with the Provincial Institute of Mining. By 1967 he was appointed Dean of the Haileybury School of Mines until his retirement in 1989. Jack was very involved in all aspects of the school as well as his community. He received many medals and awards of distinction for his service in the mining educational field. He was inducted into the HSM Hall of Fame in 1995. John Frey died in 2002.
Coniferous #4 EASTERN WHITE PINE
EASTERN WHITE PINE
PIN BLANC
Pinus strobus L. Zhingwaak-waabshkizi (Ojibwe)
A definative tree of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest region. Its range stretches from Newfoundland to the Ontario-Manitoba border. The common denominator is Soil (from moist to loamy sand to dry glacial sand and rocky ridges) supporting a massive tap root anchor.
PIN BLANC averages 30m tall with a 1m trunk. Historical trees were known to be 52m high with a 1.5m trunk. The arboreal emblem of Ontario, it was once destined for the ships of the British Navy. It is now the most valued softwood lumber.
In Memory of Tim Eby
Tim Eby M.N.
Tim Eby graduated from the Provincial Institute of Mining in 1965. Tim’s industrial accomplishments included the positions of Manager at Wabush Mine in Labrador, Manager of Norcast Inc., and President of Wabi Iron and Steel. Tim also received numerous leadership and innovation awards during his lifetime, and was a strong supporter of the School of Mines. Tim Eby died in 2002.
Coniferous #5 RED PINE
RED PINE
PIN ROUGE
Pinus resinosa Ait zhiwaak-mskozi, zhngobiins (Ojibwe)
Within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region, and known from Nfld. to Manitoba. Thrives on soils that are too nutrient poor for Eastern White Pine. It is now grown in plantations for the construction lumber industry, as well as for replacement power poles and even pulp.
PIN ROUGE may reach height of 18 -37 m, and 30 cm – 1 m in trunk diameter. The crown is egg-shaped atop a usually bare, tapered trunk. The needles exist in pairs, about 10 to 16cm long. Cones are also egg-shaped (without stalks) opening in Autumn.
In memory of Hugh Moore From the staff of Haileybury School of Mines
Hugh Moore Mt, P.Eng.
Hugh ‘Hughie’ More graduated from the Provincial Institute of Mining in 1951. Working as a geologist in the area, Hugh is credited as the driving force witting the HSM Alumni Association. His work with the alumni spanned over 50 years until his death in 2004. Hugh was a proud veteran of World War II and Life member of the C.I.M.M., Prospector’s Association, and Professional Engineers of Ontario. Hugh Moore was inducted into the HSM Hall of Fame in 1995.
Coniferous #7 SCOTS (SCOTCH) PINE
SCOTS (SCOTCH PINE)
SAPIN ROUGE DU NORD
PINUS SYLVESTRIS
This is an introduced species, native to Scotland’s Caledonian forest. It was introduced to Ontario in the 1920’s, mainly to control erosion on abandoned farms. It persisted on Christmas tree farms until recently. It is host to a number of insects and diseases, but expands it range easily.
SAPIN ROUGE du NORD is 25m tall, with an irregularly shaped crown at maturity. Bark has an unusual orange-brown tinge. It tends to lean over and deform on windy sites. It is an invasive species whose range should be physically limited. Hardy, it will survive in Zone 1.
In memory of Allan L. Barry
Allan L. Barry B.Sc., P.Eng,. F.G.A.C.
In 1958, Al Barry came to Haileybury to teach at the Provincial Institute of Mining. His Teaching assignments primarily included Math, Physics, and Geophysics. Al eventually became the Assistant Dean of the Haileybury School of Mines. He was an avid ham radio operator and a bagpiper in the New Liskeard Legion Pipe Band. Al Barry died in 1983 and was inducted into the HSM Hall of Fame in 1995.
Coniferous #9 TAMARACK
Tamarack
Meleze Laricin
Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch
mshkiigwaatik (Ojibwe)
Tamarack can survive in cold, wet, poorly drained soils, commonly with Black Spruce. Intolerant of shade, it thrives on moist but well drained light soils, shared with Tembling Aspen, White birch, and Balsam Fir. Historically, the bark was a source of Tannin for leather.
TAMARACK averages 9 to 21m tall, depending on soil & climate. It survives in all Plant Hardiness Zones. It is the arboreal emblem of the Northwest Territories. It is noted that green needles turn bright yellow in late fall, then drop. “Hackmatack” is part of the Larch family.
In memory of Edward 'Ted' H. Marvin
Edward ‘Ted’ H. Marvin B.Sc.
Ted Marvin, a 1952 Queen’s University graduate and former Chief Geologist at Sherman Mine in Temagami, began his teaching career at Haileybury in 1967. He taught Geology, Mineralogy, and Surveying. Ted rented in 1991, leaving a lasting positive impression on many of his students. Ted Marvin died in 2004 and was inducted into the HSM Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012.
Coniferous #10 EASTERN WHITE CEDAR
Eastern White Cedar
Thuya Occidental
Thuja occidentalis L.
giizhik, gisheekandug, (Ojibwe)
Growing in the Acadian Forest Region as well as across QC and ON, as far north as James Bay, it is common to mildly acidic swampy areasand shallow dry soils that cover limestone. It grows in shady pure stands or with Black Spruce, or in open regional highland forests.
E. WHITE CEDAR averages 13m tall and 30 cm diameter. Dwarf specimens by the Niagara River are 1300 years old. The very light wood is used for boats, shingles & fence posts. The Indigenous taught Jacques Cartier to treat scurvy with “Arbor-Vitae”.
In memory of Doug Walli
Doug Walli B.Sc. Mng., MTU P.Eng.
Doug Walli graduated from the Provincial Institute of Mining in 193. In 1961, he received his mining degree from the Michigan Technological University. He later worked as a Chief Engineer, Mine Superintendent, and General Superintendent. Doug Walli’s continued support and interest in the School of Mines is reflected in his over 25 years of service to the Mining Advisory Committee. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2012.
Coniferous #11 EASTERN RED CEDAR
Eastern Red Cedar
Genevrier de Virginie
Juniperus virginiana L. Var. Virginiana
miskwaawaak (Ojibwe)
Growing intermittently through S. Ontario, this specie is actually a Juniper. It is found on dry sandy soils, limestone ridges, or high pH soils. The root system is usually deep. The wood is aromaticand reddish…suitable for cedar chests or closet lining & carving.
EASTERN RED CEDAR is a short tree, rarely more than 9m high, but can live 500 years. It can grow in Zone 3 and also in Louisiana where it is known as “Baton Rouge”. The “cones” appear as small bluish fruit with 1 or 2 seeds, and ripen in their first autumn.
In memory of Robert 'Bud' W. Mancantelli
Robert ‘Bud’ E. Mancantelli P.Eng.
Bud Mancantelli’s arrival to Haileybury in 1966 was later in his life but with that came a vast wealth of industrial experience in Extractive Metallurgy. Bud taught Ore Dressing and Milling until his retirement in 1977. In 1972, he received the appointment of Senior Teaching Master from the Council of Regents of the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology. Robert Mancantelli died in 1983 and was inducted into the HSM Hall of Fame in 2004.
Coniferous #14 CREEPING JUNIPER
Creeping Juniper
Genevrier Horizontal
Juniperus horizontalis
Growing across most of Canada, from Yukon to the Atlantic coast, it is highly tolerant of all Canadian climates, but persists as a low growing shrub everywhere. It often spreads several meters wide.Ideal soil is well drained sand to loam to light clay of varied pH.
GENEVRIER HORIZONTAL is the original of many commercial varieties now available. As such, there is a wide range of colours and other attributes. It is aromatic, drought tolerant, suppresses weeds, and grows over rocks.
In memory of Don McKinnon
Don MacKinnon
Don MacKinnon graduated from the instrumentation program at HSM in 1970. A talented leader, he quickly climbed the corporate ladder to Vice President of Underground Operations for Kinross Gold. He was a strong supporter of the School of Mines and always spoke of it in the highest regards. Don MacKinnon died in 2011. He was inducted into the HSM Hall of Fame in 2012.
Coniferous #15 BLACK CEDAR
Black Cedar
Thuya Noire
Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’
This tree is a variant of White Cedar that is distinguished “by its exceptionally dark green foliage”. It is of unknown origin, but dates back to the 1930’s in USA. Known to be columnar in form & 5m tall, it has dark foliage ONLY if it is propagated vegetatively.
BLACK CEDAR is a dense multi stemmed conifer that has fine textured, scale-like foliage. It is relatively maintenance free, & is slow growing. It achieves 5m in height and 2m in width over 5 decades. It has pain relieving properties in traditional medicine.
In memory of Alex C. Mosher
Alex C. Mosher
Alex Mosher, famous Canadian prospector and mine finder, gave much of his time as an Advisor to the School of Mines. Alex sat as a Haileybury municipal councillor and was also former President of the Prospectors and Developers of Canada. For his dedication, he was also inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 1990. Alex Mosher died in 1993.
Northern Ontario Plant Database
The Northern Ontario Plant Database (NOPD) is a website that provides free public access to records of herbarium specimens housed in northern Ontario educational and government institutions. An herbarium (pl.: herbaria) is an archival collection of plants that have been pressed, dried, mounted, and labelled. Herbarium specimens serve as a reference to verify identification of plant species and are a permanent, historical record of where a particular plant has been found. Currently, there are over 55,000 herbarium records included in the NOPD.