Final answer:
The most prominent figurative language element is simile.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most prominent figurative language element in the given excerpt is simile.
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as'. In the excerpt, the comparison between the pine, fir, hemlock, and other trees to ermine and pearl creates vivid imagery. It helps the reader visualize the beauty of the trees by comparing them to luxurious and valuable things.
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