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The east coast is full of conifer trees like Pines and Junipers (eastern red cedars).
Here in Virginia and points south Pines rule most of the forests in the coastal plains. We have all sorts of vegetation here not just deciduous.
It just seems that coniferous trees are more dominant on the West Coast (fir, sequoias, etc.) while in the East Coast deciduous trees are more abundant (oak, maple, etc.). Of course it's not to say there aren't a lot of coniferous trees on the East Coast nor there aren't a lot of deciduous trees on the West Coast by any means.
That said I voted for coniferous, especially the Christmas trees you see a lot of in the PNW, and the Sequoias of Yosemite, and the Redwoods. Something about the tall trunks, the shade they provide, and the fresh smell. Also the pines in the Southeast as you mentioned, and also have to give a mention to the Japanese cedars (cryptomerias). Of course with deciduous trees, the fall foliage is a huge plus.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Depends on the time of year. The fall color of the eastern deciduous trees with the various maples, Black Gum, Dogwood, and Crabapples are far more colorful than our Big Leaf Maples, Alders and Cottonwoods. We do have unique fall color with our deciduous conifer, however, the native Golden Larch. I have one as a bonsai.
The east coast is full of conifer trees like Pines and Junipers (eastern red cedars).
Here in Virginia and points south Pines rule most of the forests in the coastal plains. We have all sorts of vegetation here not just deciduous.
It’s not really misleading. If you look at this vegetation map and click on “% deciduous” you will see a stark difference in the percentage of each type of tree on each coast, upwards of 90% of each respective type of tree. It’s only once you get to southern Georgia and southern South Carolina do you notice heterogeneity.
For within the urban environment it's no contest. The deciduous trees with their overhanging branches, broad leaves, and light shade of green create a far more desirable and welcoming environment, and they change with the seasons indicating a passage of time.
Coniferous trees are uniformly underwhelming in every season, an aura of monotonous mediocrity.
In urban environments, most of the trees are planted. The older neighborhoods in Seattle are almost entirely deciduous.
For within the urban environment it's no contest. The deciduous trees with their overhanging branches, broad leaves, and light shade of green create a far more desirable and welcoming environment, and they change with the seasons indicating a passage of time.
In the summer they're full, provide shade, and are the essence of the summer season.
In the spring they blossom and flower.
In the fall they change into beautiful colors.
In the winter they let you know it's winter.
Coniferous trees are uniformly underwhelming in every season, an aura of monotonous mediocrity.
No arguments here, although do I think coniferous trees certainly have aesthetic value. But the lack of visual variety (at least as compared to deciduous trees) is definitely a big strike against them, especially when considering seasonal variation as you note. Frankly, I'm surprised the poll is so close as for preference.
And yes, the tree canopy or "cathedral effect" for deciduous, especially in an urban setting, is incredible.
Conifers by themselves aren’t that pretty. I do like deciduous set against the Appalachians, a la West Virginia or Western NC.
Then again, I actually prefer desert scenery. That favors the west.
The West is also good because it’s a bit more diverse. You can get your deciduous fall colours down at lower altitudes, conifers up higher, or go to the desert. Or see all three in one day.
West for me, please.
Otherwise, I can’t really just vote for one or the other:
It’s not really misleading. If you look at this vegetation map and click on “% deciduous” you will see a stark difference in the percentage of each type of tree on each coast, upwards of 90% of each respective type of tree. It’s only once you get to southern Georgia and southern South Carolina do you notice heterogeneity.
Cool map! But if you look at the puget sound lowlands and the Willamette valley it’s about 50-50 between coniferous and deciduous with a slight edge to the coniferous, maybe at most it’s 60-40, but still clearly mixed. Only the mountainous areas are dominants by coniferous. One thing though the eastern US forests are a lot more diverse!
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