This time of year, many halls are decked with boughs of holly, balsam, and spruce, so we thought it would be a good time to feature evergreens. True to their name, evergreens are trees and shrubs that retain their leaves throughout the year, shedding old leaves gradually over time, versus most deciduous trees which shed them all at once before the winter or dry season.

‘Tis the season for celebration, so let’s celebrate evergreens with five photos of pines and firs from past entries to our Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest. Happy holidays!

Pitch Pine © Lily Davey

White Pine © Jonah Coffin

White Pine © Stephen Reidy

A type of fir, possibly balsam © Bob Quinn

Unidentifiable evergreen, possibly white pine © Scott Bump