The Taiga Biome is below freezing for half of the year, creating harsh living conditions for all living species. Most trees and plants that grow out there have a waxy substance around their leaves protecting them from the freezing temperatures surrounding them. This waxy like substance is like a coat for the plants.
Balsam Fir (Abies Balsamea)
The balsam fir is a small-medium tree, with a wide base and a narrow top. Instead of leaves this plant has needles which serve the same purpose as leaves. In winter months the tree is used as a main source of food for animals such as moose, caribou and deer. On occasion it is used for lumber.
The plants needles have a waxy substance around it making it more compatible to the cold conditions. Also, the thick bark helps keep the tree stable.
White Fir (Abies Concolor)
The white fir is a large sized tree, that can live for up to 300 years and can grow as big as 60-100 feet tall. The leaves are slightly flattened (looks like a needle) with a blue-green tint. The tree is mostly used for lumber, and for most occasions, used as a Christmas tree.
The tree has a waxy substance around each leaf, protecting it from the cold.
Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
The paper birch has a narrow bark that can peel into layers that resemble paper ("paper" birch). Typically these trees grow in clusters or groups at a time and grow as tall as 60-80 feet.
The tree has many thin layers and a strong base, helping the tree keep growing and thriving in the taiga.
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana)
The eastern red cedar is a small tree that resembles an evergreen tree. The tree isn't actually a Cedar tree, but a Juniper. Typically the tree grows in a triangle shape to about 40 feet tall. The bark is very durable and although the eastern red cedar isn't very tall it can live for a very long time.
The tree has a waxy substance around the leaves, making it more taiga friendly.