Coniferous trees, ferns, and mosses are ancient plant families. There are other plants in this biome. Grass grows here and there under the trees where the ground is dry and there is enough sunlight. In moister, more shaded areas, there are ferns and mosses. There are wild flowers, and a variety of deciduous bushes of various sizes.
Fungi grow on fallen trees and help old needles and twigs to decompose.
Animals must deal with the hardships of long, cold winters. Insects abound in the summer and winter over as eggs or grubs in the trees. Porcupines continue to gnaw on the trees. The largest herbivores are deer, who can travel far in search of food. A few cougars hunt the deer.