7 Fascinating Facts About Conifers

Pick Your Perfect Size of Conifer Tree

Pines come in a variety of sizes. Low-mounding dwarf forms top out at 1 foot, while mature white pines can soar to 150 feet or more.

These dwarf conifers are perfect for filling a small space.

The Difference Between Pines and Conifers

Here’s one of our favorite fun facts about conifers. All pine trees are conifer trees,
but not all conifer trees are pine trees. To tell if you’re looking at a pine tree, see if the needles on the branches are bunched together. Most pines have needles in small groups of two to five.

Check out the best types of conifer trees and how to grow them.

One Bird Shares Its Name With a Pine

The pinyon jay is named after one of its favorite food sources: pinyon pine seeds. Plant these native trees that attract birds.

Pine Cones Are Strong

Some pine cones have staying power, and hold on to their branches for more than 10 years.

Grow a dwarf Colorado blue spruce for evergreen beauty.

Grow Your Own Pine Nuts

You can grow and harvest pine nuts from your own tree, although it could take up to 15 years to mature.

Check out the top 10 fast growing trees for your yard.

A Very Special Ponderosa Pine

Nicknamed “Phalanx,” a ponderosa pine in Oregon is one of the tallest in the world at 268 feet.

Certain Pines Have Long Needles

Longleaf pine’s dark green needles grow in groups of three, each needle reaching 9 inches or longer.

After you read all the facts about conifers, discover fascinating maple tree facts you should know.

Sources

• Michigan State University Extension – “Fun Facts About Pine Cones”
• USDA – “Oregon Forest Home for World’s Tallest Living Pine Tree”
• Michigan State University Extension – “Growing edible pine nuts in Michigan”