Guide to Conifers: 11 Types of Conifers Seen Across the US

A conifer is a type of plant that bears woody cones. Conifers reproduce via their cones which contain their seeds, which makes them different from flowering plants. Conifers are typically (but not always) evergreen trees with needle-like foliage. Conifers are a type of gymnosperm plant and are among the oldest living plants. Pine trees, redwoods, ginkgo trees, and douglas fir are all types of conifer trees.

A tree can be both a conifer and evergreen, but the terms are distinct. An evergreen is a plant that keeps its foliage year-round. A conifer is a plant that reproduces by bearing a seed-filled cone. Many conifers are evergreen trees that do not shed their needles in the winter, but not all of them are. For example, the coniferous Larch Tree is a deciduous conifer that sheds its needles in the winter. Not all evergreen trees are conifers because many evergreen trees do not reproduce through seed-bearing cones.

3 Characteristics of Conifers
There are many different types of conifer that share a few common traits.

1. 1. Cones: All conifers have cones. These seed-bearing pods are the conifer’s means of reproduction. A typical cone from a conifer is woody and light, but some conifers make fleshy cones, such as on a yew tree.
2. 2. Spiny foliage: Many conifers have foliage that is spiny or needly, particularly evergreen conifers.
3. 3. Size and shape: Conifers can vary greatly in size, from the giant redwoods being some of the largest trees in the world to moderately-sized juniper trees. As for shape, some conifers grow in a traditional Christmas tree-shaped triangle, while others grow low and flat to the ground.

There are hundreds of naturally occurring species of conifer that can be found all over the world, growing in a breadth of different climates. Here are some of the most common conifer trees in the United States.

1. 1. Pine: The pine tree (Pinus) is one of the most recognizable conifers in the US because it is what you will most often find as a Christmas tree. The pine family (pinaceae) is the largest family of conifers and the pine tree is the largest genus within the pine family. Pines are evergreen conifers with green spiny foliage and cones that grow on the end of the branches.
2. 2. Cypress: The cypress tree (or Cupressus) is an evergreen conifer with bright green foliage that grows vertically in a thin spire-like shape. There are several species of cypress that grow in the western US and they prefer warm climates. The bald cypress is an example of a conifer that is not evergreen, as it sheds its foliage in the winter.
3. 3. Cedar: Cedar trees (Cedrus) are evergreen conifers that are native to mountainous regions. They require heavy rainfall and well-draining soil to avoid wet roots. Cedar is most often cultivated for lumber.
4. 4. Larch: The larch (Larix) tree is a deciduous conifer that grows in the cooler climates of the United States, Canada, and Russia’s Siberian forests. They have needle-like foliage that turns golden and sheds in the fall.
5. 5. Yew: Yew trees (Taxus) are evergreen conifers with flat green needles. They have ornamental red cones and can be shaped into topiaries, making them a popular option for home landscaping.
6. 6. Juniper: Juniper trees (Juniperus) are evergreen conifers that grow into medium-sized trees. They have scale-like leaves and are distinct for their fleshy cones resembling fruit. Juniper trees are typically blue but they can also be red or orange.
7. 7. Hemlock: Hemlock trees (Tsuga) are evergreen conifers that have dark green foliage and small cones. They are common in North America and Asia.
8. 8. Spruce: The spruce tree (Picea) is a member of the pine family. They are known for their four-sided needles that grow around the tree’s branches in spirals. Spruces can grow very tall and produce cones that hang from the branches. The blue spruce—notable for its blue-green foliage—is one of the most populous species in the US.
9. 9. Fir: Fir trees (Abies) are also members of the pine family. Fir trees can be identified for their needles that attach to their branch with a suction cup at the needle's end. Their cones grow upwards from the branch, giving them the appearance of balancing on the branches.
10. 10. Douglas fir: The douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is another member of the pine family. These trees have soft green needles that resemble the foliage on a fir tree. Female cones on douglas firs are bright red and resemble a bird's plumage.
11. 11. Redwood: Redwood trees are native to California and are the tallest trees in the world. They have a foliage of flat needles and have a growth rate of up to 400 years to reach maturity.

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