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Northwest Conifers

Non-native Conifers

Many of the conifers found in our cities and parks are non-natives, introduced from other parts of the country or from around the world. Look for them in local parks. You may see some in your neighborhood. You may even find one in your own yard.

Norway SpruceNorway Spruce
 – Picea abies

Needles: Sharp, thin, stick out all around the twig

Cones: 4-7" long with paper-thin scales

Bark: Gray-brown scales

  

Blue SpruceBlue Spruce
 – Picea pungens

Needles: Sharp, thin, blue, stick out all around twig

Cones: 3" long with paper-thin scales

Bark: Gray-brown scales

  

E White PineEastern White Pine
 – Pinus strobus

Needles: 3-5" long in bundles of 5

Cones: 4-6" long, curved

Bark: Dark gray scaly plates

  

Deodar CedarCedars
 – Cedrus

Needles: Bundles of 15-35, sharp points

Cones: Upright, disperse seeds on tree

Bark: Gray, furrowed with flat plates

  

Japanese Red PineJapanese Red Pine
 – Pinus densiflora

Needles:  3-4" long in bundles of 2

Cones:  2" long, egg-shaped

Bark: Red-brown, developing flaky scales on large trunks

  

Giant SequoiaGiant Sequoia
 – Sequoiadendron giganteum

Leaves: Awl-shaped with sharp points

Cones:  Size and shape of Chicken egg, hard, lip-shaped scales

Bark: Reddish brown, fibrous and soft, deep furrows

  

Scots PineScots Pine
 – Pinus sylvestris

Needles:  1-3" long in bundles of 2, often blue-green

Cones:  1-2" long, egg-shaped, diamond-shaped scales

Bark: Young bark is orange-red, developing gray scales on large trunks

  

Dawn RedwoodDawn Redwood
 – Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Needles: Flat and flat on twig, angled forward, deciduous

Cones: Small, egg shaped, hard, like Redwood cones. 

Bark: Reddish-brown, becoming furrowed

  

Jack PineJack Pine
 – Pinus banksiana

Needles: 1-2" long in bundles of 2

Cones:  2" long, curved, clusters of 2 or 3, point forward on branch

Bark: Orange to reddish-brown, developing furrows and gray scales


  

Spanish FirSpanish Fir
 – Abies pinsapo

Needles: 1" long, stiff,  growing all around twig

Cones: 4-7" long, upright, disperse seeds on tree

Bark: Gray with blisters, breaking into scaly plates and small fissures

  

Note:  The conifers shown here may appear different from some of the horticultural varieties that have been developed from the original natural tree species.


© 2013 Ken Denniston