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.

Blue Spruce – Picea pungens

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

Cones: 3" long with paper-thin scales

Bark: Gray-brown scales

Norway spruce – Picea abies

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

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

Bark: Gray-brown scales

Eastern White pine – Pinus strobus

Needles: 3-5" long in bundles of 5

Cones: 4-6" long, curved

Bark: Dark gray scaly plates

Scots 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

Japanese 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

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

Cedars – Cedrus

Needles: Bundles of 15-35, sharp points

Cones: Upright, disperse seeds on tree

Bark: Gray, furrowed with flat plates

Dawn Redwood – Metasequoia Glyptostroboides

Needles: Flat and flat on twig

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

Bark: Reddish-brown, becoming furrowed

Giant Sequoia – Sequoiadendron giganteum

Leaves: Awl-shaped with sharp points

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

Bark: Reddish brown, soft with deep furrows

Spanish Fir – Abies pinsapo

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

Cones: 4-7" long, upright

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