What are Conifer Trees?
Conifers are evergreen trees with needles or scales as their leaves. There are many species of conifers within several families. Conifer trees grow worldwide in temperate regions. Here are two easy ways to help identify them:
1. Needles. Without doubt, the most important information to identify a tree is observed in the needles.
Pine
These needles are especially unique among this trio of trees.
• Always grow in clusters from a single origin point on a branch.
• Are often sensually soft and tend to grow to greater lengths than other conifers.
• Can grow to be up to 16 inches long!
Spruce
• These needles tend to be short and stiff.
• Unlike the needles of a pine, these tend to grow from a single origin point and are attached to small, stalk-like woody projections.
• Needles are often square and can easily be rolled between fingertips when removed.
Fir
• Needles are soft and flat.
• Grow from a single point of origin like a spruce, but are attached to the branch in a manner resembling a suction cup.
• When the needles are removed they do not leave behind a woody projection.
• Tend to have two white stripes on the bottom of each needle.
Cedar
• True cedars have needles, not scales.
• Cedars are highly aromatic and are often used for their scent in aromatherapy and to repel bugs and moths.
• The needles are similar to those of pine trees, except they are much shorter.
• The needles themselves are borne in dense, spiral clusters, giving the branches a rather aesthetic appearance.
2. Cones and Branches. Although less definitive for identifying these three conifers, examining the cones and branches of a tree offers more helpful hints.
Pine
• Branches tend to be upturned, but are fewer in quantity than on a spruce or a fir.
• Tend to grow from a single, circular area on the trunk of the tree.
• Cones often begin developing with a green colour, then turn reddish-brown or black.
• Fully developed cones are stiff and woody, and certainly inflexible.
• While developing, cones hang towards the ground.
Spruce
• Branches tend to grow in an upturned direction.
• Cones tend to develop into a smooth and flexible shape, with thin scales.
• Cones hang towards the ground.
Fir
• Possess wide lower branches and develop into more of a downturned shape.
• Cones can be purple, green, or blue, before changing to a golden brown.
• Most notably, cones grow upwards like candle flames.
Cedar
• All members of the genus Cedrus produce upright, barrel-shaped cones.
• Male cones are smaller and don’t stay on the tree for very long.
• Female cones, on the other hand, are quite large and stay on the tree until the seeds are ripe.
• Upon ripening, the entire female cone disintegrates, releasing the seeds held within.
• Each seed comes complete with blisters full of distasteful resin, which is thought to deter seed predators.
References: www.gardenerspath.com/plants/landscape-trees/identifying-conifers/
www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2018/9/25/the-only-true-cedars
www.growforagecookferment.com/conifer-tree-identification/
This cache is to be found along a popular route in Newlands Forest.
Before placing the cache we were keen to find out what the tree genus is. Unlike Kirstenbosch where little name tags identify trees here we had to do some research and the above helped us. What do you think? Pine, Spruce, Fir or Cedar?
At the waypoint head up the slope. Here's wishing you no GPS Confusion in your effort.
Log sheet is on waterproof paper. Gel pens will make it messy for future geocachers so please use ball point pen or pencil.
Please roll the log sheet up tightly and insert into sleeve as found.