Coniferous trees

Coniferous Trees

Trees that grow cones are called conifers.

Coniferous trees grow up instead of out like a deciduous tree and are shaped like a triangle. The leaves are usually long, pointy needles.

Spruce Fir Pine

The cones of the conifers are very important to the coniferous tree because it is there that the tree makes and shelters its seeds.Cones are made up of many scales that serve to protect the seeds.

Most coniferous trees have both male and female cones. Female cones contain eggs. Male cones are small and soft. They produce (make) pollen. Once the pollen is released, male cones shrivel and die.

Female cone

Male cone

When the egg is pollinated a seed develops

Pine cone with seeds.

When it's time, the scales of the cone open and the seeds fall to the ground.

Coniferous trees with their long needle like leaves thrive where summers are short and cool and winters long and harsh, with heavy snowfall that can last as long as 6 months.

These needles are pretty amazing adaptations. It is their long thin shape and wax covering that slows down evaporation so the tree doesn't lose much water. It is this adaptation that allows trees with needles to grow in areas where it is cold most of the year and where there is little precipitation.

Conifer trees do lose their leaves but only a few at a time and these are quickly replaced. Since they generally live in colder areas of the world, they always have some leaves so as soon as it warms up and the sun shines, they can make food.

Coniferous trees are triangular shaped and the branches are soft and flexible. As a result snow slides off the tree without breaking its limbs.

Coniferous trees are used for Christmas trees. They can be cut and put into a stand filled with water.

The Tree can last for many weeks. It can be decorated with lights and ornaments.

Coniferous trees are important to our world, they provide shelter for animals, lumber to build houses and produces oxygen for our air.