The leaves or needles remain alive and on the plant throughout the winter. Because they retain their leaves year-round, evergreens, including pines, firs, spruces, cedars, hemlocks and hollies, are critical to wildlife for winter cover. The berries, seeds and needles provide important foods for resident birds and the few mammals that venture out in the winter sun. Mammals, such as white-tailed deer, chipmunks and gray squirrels, feast on seeds and needles. Junipers and Eastern red cedars are particularly attractive to cedar waxwings, purple finches and mockingbirds.
Evergreens are beneficial to people, too.
If placed strategically around buildings, evergreen trees conserve energy by providing windbreaks at time when other trees are bare. By intercepting cold winds, evergreens can help reduce heating costs. Evergreens also help muffle sounds and reduce the noise pollution reaching a home in the winter months. This is good time of year to evaluate your own yard. Consider planting some evergreens this spring.