Conifers

Question 1

• produce nuts at the base of cone scales
• cones are short and round with the scales thick-edged and thornless
• 1-4 short, stout needles per cluster

Answer 1

Pinyon Pines

Question 1

• long needles in clusters of 2-5
• Cones are sometimes spikey and seem separated

Answer 1

Pines

Question 2

• slender needles in groups
• tufts of flexible needles whorled on spur branches and single needles on longer shoots
• cones are thin-scaled and not prickly; cylindrical
• turn golden-yellow and drop their needles in autumn (deciduous)

Answer 2

Larches

Question 3

• square, sharp, and stiff needles
• branches have tiny wooden pegs where needles are attached; leave behind rough surface
• needles are short
• cones are woody and brown and hang down

Answer 3

Spruces

Question 4

• leave behind smooth, round leaf scars when needles fall
• needles are flat, white-banded, and not sharp
• cones are fleshy, compact, often purple, and stand upright

Answer 4

Firs

Question 5

• scale-like leaves arranged in flat sprays
• usually oddly-shaped brown woody cones

Answer 5

Cypress (“Cedars”)

Question 6

• tiny scale-like leaves with some small, pointed, awl-shaped needles
• cones are fleshy like berries (thick scales have become fused)
• fruits only on female trees (dioecious)

Answer 6

Junipers

Question 7

• deciduous; turn copper/brown and fall
• long fronds of needles and needles on twigs themselves

Answer 7

Metasequoias

Question 8

• evergreen
• long fronds of needles and needles on twigs themselves
• brown woody cone

Answer 8

Sequoias