What Are Conifers?

Conifers are a species of non flowering trees belonging to the group known as gymnosperms. Trees like fir, spruce, cedar, redwood, cypress, pine and juniper belong to this order (Coniferales).

The main characteristic of these trees are that they are cone bearing the germinating process takes place by way of these cones which give rise to the seeds. Another characteristic of these trees are that they are evergreen and have typical leaves which are needle like and scaly in nature. The wood of these trees is widely used for a variety of purposes like in the paper industry and in the lumber industry for construction purposes as it is softer in texture as compared to other trees.   

Coniferous forests were once widespread in North America but at present have dwindled to a few woodlands and parks mostly in the Western and Northern parts of the USA and some parts of Canada. Conifer trees like Giant Sequoias which can grow to a height of 300 feet and above and reach a girth of about 30 feet and Redwood are majestic to behold these trees are popular tourist attractions in Parks like Yosemite and Sequoia National Park.

Conifers belong to the series of non-flowering trees that belong to a group that is commonly known as the gymnosperms, which means "naked seeds", that is, the seeds are not enclosed in the fruits unlike those of the flowering plants. Trees like junipers, larches, firs, pines and redwoods etc. All belong to the same, known as division "Coniferae".

The main characteristics of these trees that the seeds of the cones during the germinating process develop inside the scales of the cone. The conifers are evergreen, meaning that they have leaves all year round. The leaves of these trees are long, thin, scaly and have a needle-like appearance. The leaves are mostly dark-green in appearance, so as to ensure that the leaves absorbs the maximum sunlight during the day. These trees are mostly found in vast areas of land, the boreal forests of the northern hemisphere, but they could be found also in vast mountainous ranges further to the South. The conifers are used widely by humans, mainly for their wood (softwood) for timber and paper production for the mass markets in the modern society.