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  • Black Spruce Picea mariana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 19m<br />
Slender, conical evergreen with shortest needles and cones of any spruce (apart from Oriental, whose needles are darker green and blunt). BARK Grey-brown and scaly. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, blue-green above and pale blue below, to 1.5cm long, 4-angled, growing all round hairy, yellowish shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones ovoid, reddish and pendent, to 4cm long, usually growing near tree top. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for ornament.
    134621.jpg
  • Black Spruce Picea mariana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 19m<br />
Slender, conical evergreen with shortest needles and cones of any spruce (apart from Oriental, whose needles are darker green and blunt). BARK Grey-brown and scaly. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, blue-green above and pale blue below, to 1.5cm long, 4-angled, growing all round hairy, yellowish shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones ovoid, reddish and pendent, to 4cm long, usually growing near tree top. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for ornament.
    124953.jpg
  • Black Spruce Picea mariana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 19m<br />
Slender, conical evergreen with shortest needles and cones of any spruce (apart from Oriental, whose needles are darker green and blunt). BARK Grey-brown and scaly. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, blue-green above and pale blue below, to 1.5cm long, 4-angled, growing all round hairy, yellowish shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones ovoid, reddish and pendent, to 4cm long, usually growing near tree top. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for ornament.
    135153.jpg
  • Black Spruce Picea mariana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 19m<br />
Slender, conical evergreen with shortest needles and cones of any spruce (apart from Oriental, whose needles are darker green and blunt). BARK Grey-brown and scaly. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, blue-green above and pale blue below, to 1.5cm long, 4-angled, growing all round hairy, yellowish shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones ovoid, reddish and pendent, to 4cm long, usually growing near tree top. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for ornament.
    135155.jpg
  • Giant Fir Abies grandis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m Map<br />
Magnificent when mature. Fast-growing conifers, reaching a height of 40m in as many years. LEAVES Note the comb-like arrangement of soft, shining-green needles, borne in 2 rows on either side of downy olive-green twigs. Needles are up to 5cm long with a notched tip and 2 pale bands below; orange-scented when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are smooth, less than 10cm long and are produced high up on trees at least 50 years old; they break up on tree to release seeds, STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of coastal W USA. Planted in our region for ornament and sometimes commercially.
    132804.jpg
  • European Larch - Larix decidua Pinaceae. Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    157445.jpg
  • Weymouth Pine Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Mature tree has tapering trunk and rounded crown. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Level. LEAVES Blue-green needles; note tuft of hairs below each 10cm-long bunch of 5 needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender cones; basal scales often curve outwards. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here mainly for timber.
    132868.jpg
  • Giant Fir Abies grandis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m Map<br />
Magnificent when mature. Fast-growing conifers, reaching a height of 40m in as many years. LEAVES Note the comb-like arrangement of soft, shining-green needles, borne in 2 rows on either side of downy olive-green twigs. Needles are up to 5cm long with a notched tip and 2 pale bands below; orange-scented when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are smooth, less than 10cm long and are produced high up on trees at least 50 years old; they break up on tree to release seeds, STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of coastal W USA. Planted in our region for ornament and sometimes commercially.
    134413.jpg
  • Giant Fir Abies grandis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m Map<br />
Magnificent when mature. Fast-growing conifers, reaching a height of 40m in as many years. LEAVES Note the comb-like arrangement of soft, shining-green needles, borne in 2 rows on either side of downy olive-green twigs. Needles are up to 5cm long with a notched tip and 2 pale bands below; orange-scented when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are smooth, less than 10cm long and are produced high up on trees at least 50 years old; they break up on tree to release seeds, STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of coastal W USA. Planted in our region for ornament and sometimes commercially.
    134404.jpg
  • Weymouth Pine Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Mature tree has tapering trunk and rounded crown. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Level. LEAVES Blue-green needles; note tuft of hairs below each 10cm-long bunch of 5 needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender cones; basal scales often curve outwards. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here mainly for timber.
    132789.jpg
  • Giant Fir Abies grandis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m <br />
Magnificent when mature. Fast-growing conifers, reaching a height of 40m in as many years. LEAVES Note the comb-like arrangement of soft, shining-green needles, borne in 2 rows on either side of downy olive-green twigs. Needles are up to 5cm long with a notched tip and 2 pale bands below; orange-scented when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are smooth, less than 10cm long and are produced high up on trees at least 50 years old; they break up on tree to release seeds, STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of coastal W USA. Planted in our region for ornament and sometimes commercially.
    124945.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    144443.jpg
  • Weymouth Pine Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Mature tree has tapering trunk and rounded crown. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Level. LEAVES Blue-green needles; note tuft of hairs below each 10cm-long bunch of 5 needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender cones; basal scales often curve outwards. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here mainly for timber.
    100950.jpg
  • Weymouth Pine Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Mature tree has tapering trunk and rounded crown. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Level. LEAVES Blue-green needles; note tuft of hairs below each 10cm-long bunch of 5 needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender cones; basal scales often curve outwards. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here mainly for timber.
    132870.jpg
  • Weymouth Pine Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Mature tree has tapering trunk and rounded crown. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Level. LEAVES Blue-green needles; note tuft of hairs below each 10cm-long bunch of 5 needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender cones; basal scales often curve outwards. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here mainly for timber.
    113424.jpg
  • Monterey Pine Pinus radiata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Large, variable pine, slender and conical when growing vigorously, becoming more domed and flat-topped on a long bole with age. BARK Fissured and grey, blackening with age. BRANCHES Main ones sometimes hang low enough to touch ground. LEAVES Bright-green needles in bunches of 3; each needle is thin and straight, to 15cm long, with a finely toothed margin and harp-pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers grow in dense clusters near ends of twigs, releasing pollen in spring. Female cones grow in clusters of 3–5 around tips of shoots, ripening to large, solid woody cones, to 15cm long and 9cm across, with a characteristic asymmetrical shape. Cone scales are thick and woody with rounded outer edges, and conceal black, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBTUION Native to a small area around Monterey, California, Guadalupe Island and Baja California, Mexico. Widely planted here in mild areas as a shelter-belt tree or for ornament, growing well next to the sea.
    130379.jpg
  • Monterey Pine Pinus radiata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Large, variable pine, slender and conical when growing vigorously, becoming more domed and flat-topped on a long bole with age. BARK Fissured and grey, blackening with age. BRANCHES Main ones sometimes hang low enough to touch ground. LEAVES Bright-green needles in bunches of 3; each needle is thin and straight, to 15cm long, with a finely toothed margin and harp-pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers grow in dense clusters near ends of twigs, releasing pollen in spring. Female cones grow in clusters of 3–5 around tips of shoots, ripening to large, solid woody cones, to 15cm long and 9cm across, with a characteristic asymmetrical shape. Cone scales are thick and woody with rounded outer edges, and conceal black, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBTUION Native to a small area around Monterey, California, Guadalupe Island and Baja California, Mexico. Widely planted here in mild areas as a shelter-belt tree or for ornament, growing well next to the sea. Vigorous when young.
    132433.jpg
  • Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris Pinaceae Height to 36m<br />
Conical evergreen becoming flat-topped with age. <br />
Bark Grey-brown and scaly low down, red or orange higher up. Branches Irregular. Needles Paired, grey-green to 7cm long. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow, at tips previous year’s shoots. Female flowers grow at tips of new shoots; crimson at first, ripening to brown cones. Status Native to parts of Scotland, also planted for timber and naturalised there and throughout Britain.
    130381.jpg
  • Monterey Pine Pinus radiata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Large, variable pine, slender and conical when growing vigorously, becoming more domed and flat-topped on a long bole with age. BARK Fissured and grey, blackening with age. BRANCHES Main ones sometimes hang low enough to touch ground. LEAVES Bright-green needles in bunches of 3; each needle is thin and straight, to 15cm long, with a finely toothed margin and harp-pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers grow in dense clusters near ends of twigs, releasing pollen in spring. Female cones grow in clusters of 3–5 around tips of shoots, ripening to large, solid woody cones, to 15cm long and 9cm across, with a characteristic asymmetrical shape. Cone scales are thick and woody with rounded outer edges, and conceal black, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBTUION Native to a small area around Monterey, California, Guadalupe Island and Baja California, Mexico. Widely planted here in mild areas as a shelter-belt tree or for ornament, growing well next to the sea.
    130367.jpg
  • Corsican Pine Pinus nigra ssp. maritima (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Similar to ssp. nigra but more shapely. BRANCHES Shorter than ssp. nigra and level, so young trees are columnar. LEAVES Soft, narrow needles, paler green than ssp. nigra, to 15cm long, often twisted in young trees. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones similar to ssp. nigra. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Corsica, S Italy and Sicily, planted here on lowland heaths, coastal dunes, and poor soils. Resistant to pollution.
    130380.jpg
  • European Silver Fir Abies alba (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 47m <br />
Fast-growing fir, reaching a great size; until 1960s held record for tallest tree in Britain. BARK White on trunk and branches of mature trees, grey on younger trees. LEAVES Thick needles, up to 3cm long, notched at tip and in 2 rows on twigs, which are covered with pale brown hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Erect cones green at first, maturing orange-brown and up to 20cm long. Eventually disintegrate into fan-like scales and toothed bracts, leaving just the protruding woody axis. Cones normally grow high up. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of European mountains. At one time widely planted in Britain for timber.
    134990.jpg
  • White Spruce Picea glauca (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 24m <br />
Narrowly conical evergreen, but broadening with maturity. BARK Purple-grey with roughly circular scales. BRANCHES Turn upwards at tips, bearing hairless, greyish twigs and blunt buds. LEAVES Pointed needles, 4-angled,to 1.3 cm long, pale green (sometimes bluish), and smelling unpleasantly to some when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are about 6cm long and 2cm across, cylindrical, pendent and orange-brown when ripe, with rounded margins to scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native northern North America, widely planted here for timber and ornament in Britain.
    134885.jpg
  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
    134703.jpg
  • Serbian Spruce Picea omorika (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Narrowly conical to columnar tree, with a slender form unlike all other spruces. BARK Orange-brown and scaly in older trees. BRANCHES Lower branches are slightly descending with raised tips, higher branches being mostly level or ascending. All branches are short. LEAVES Flattened and keeled needles, to 2cm long, may be blunt or barely pointed, dark blue-green above with 2 pale bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are large and red, becoming yellow when releasing pollen. Female cones grow on curving stalks and are up to 6cm long, ovoid and blue-green at first, ripening to brown. Cone scales are rounded with finely toothed margins. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of limestone rocks of the Drina basin of Serbia, unknown until 1875, but now a popular ornamental tree
    134664.jpg
  • Dunkeld (Hybrid) Larch Larix x eurolepis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m. Vigorous deciduous conifer, conical in outline when mature. Shares characteristics with both parents (Common Larch and Japanese Larch); most features intermediate between the 2 but rather variable. BARK Similar to Japanese Larch. LEAVES Dark green needles, to 5cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are pinkish at first, but ripen yellow-brown and have slightly reflexed scales with projecting bracts. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION More vigorous than either parents, and copes better with harsh conditions and poor soils; quite widely planted, mostly for timber but occasionally for ornament
    134623.jpg
  • European Silver Fir Abies alba (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 47m <br />
Fast-growing fir, reaching a great size; until 1960s held record for tallest tree in Britain. BARK White on trunk and branches of mature trees, grey on younger trees. LEAVES Thick needles, up to 3cm long, notched at tip and in 2 rows on twigs, which are covered with pale brown hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Erect cones green at first, maturing orange-brown and up to 20cm long. Eventually disintegrate into fan-like scales and toothed bracts, leaving just the protruding woody axis. Cones normally grow high up. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of European mountains. At one time widely planted in Britain for timber.
    134606.jpg
  • Cyprus Cedar Cedrus.. brevifolia (Height to 21m) Similar to Cedar of Lebanon C. libani.  Has dark-green needles shorter than those of other cedars (2cm), and crown is more open. Female cones, to 7cm long, ripen from purple-green to brown. Native of Troodos Mountains on Cyprus; sometimes grown in collections here.
    134416.jpg
  • Spanish (Hedgehog) Fir Abies pinsapo (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Shapely at first, becoming open-crowned and straggly with age. BARK Dark grey. LEAVES Bluish-grey, usually blunt, needles, to 1.5cm long, densely arranged all around twig. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers red, opening yellow; female flowers green, in upright clusters above shoot. Cones cylindrical, tapering, upright and smooth. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of Sierra Nevada in S Spain. Sometimes planted for ornament here; tolerates calcareous soils.
    132795.jpg
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    132645.jpg
  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
    109919.jpg
  • Norway Spruce - Picea abies Pinaceae. Height to 44m.<br />
Narrowly conical tree and the archetypal Christmas Tree. Bark Brownish, scaly and resinous. Branches almost level. Needles 4-angled on short pegs. Reproductive parts Male cones small, yellowish and clustered near tips of shoots. Female cones, to 18cm long, are pendulous. Status Native of European mountains. Widely planted here as Christmas Trees and in shelter-belts.
    157447.jpg
  • Austrian Pine - Pinus nigra ssp. nigra Pinaceae. Height to 30m<br />
Broadly conical with a narrow crown. Bark Greyish-brown, becoming darker and rough in older trees. Needles Paired, to 15cm long; stiff with finely toothed margins. Reproductive parts Mature cones, to 8cm long, have keeled, spined scales. Status Native of central Europe. Widely planted here for shelter or ornament and sometimes naturalised.
    157427.jpg
  • Cedar of Lebanon Cedrus libani (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Mature tree is flat-topped with immense trunk in old trees. BARK Dark grey, fissured and ridged, becoming dark brown in very old trees. BRANCHES Main ones are massive and ascending; smaller, lateral branches level, supporting flat plates of foliage. LEAVES Needles, to 3cm long, usually in clusters of only 10–15 on short shoots, singly if growing on long shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones greyish or blue-green and erect, to 7.5cm long. Mature female cones are solid, ovoid, to 12cm long and 7cm across, ripening from purple-green to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests of E Mediterranean; widely planted here in parks and gardens since 1640.
    134363.jpg
  • Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris Pinaceae Height to 36m<br />
Conical evergreen becoming flat-topped with age. <br />
Bark Grey-brown and scaly low down, red or orange higher up. Branches Irregular. Needles Paired, grey-green to 7cm long. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow, at tips previous year’s shoots. Female flowers grow at tips of new shoots; crimson at first, ripening to brown cones. Status Native to parts of Scotland, also planted for timber and naturalised there and throughout Britain.
    144530.jpg
  • Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris Pinaceae Height to 36m<br />
Conical evergreen becoming flat-topped with age. <br />
Bark Grey-brown and scaly low down, red or orange higher up. Branches Irregular. Needles Paired, grey-green to 7cm long. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow, at tips previous year’s shoots. Female flowers grow at tips of new shoots; crimson at first, ripening to brown cones. Status Native to parts of Scotland, also planted for timber and naturalised there and throughout Britain.
    144529.jpg
  • Colorado White Fir Abies concolor (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m <br />
Columnar to conical tree. BARK Dark grey, fissured with age. BRANCHES Yellowish twigs bear resinous buds. LEAVES Bluish-grey needles in 2 ranks, curving upwards; to 6cm long with 2 pale blue bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones cylindrical, erect, 10cm long, green, ripening purple then brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of NW USA. Planted for ornament.
    135081.jpg
  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
    135072.jpg
  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
    135059.jpg
  • Korean Fir Abies koreana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Usually broadly conical in outline but sometimes dumpy. BRANCHES Level in conical trees. LEAVES Strap-like, blunt needles, notched at tip and up to 18mm long; dark green above but whitish either side of midrib below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellowish; female flowers reddish, maturing into bluish purple cones that ripen brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Korea, now widely planted in gardens.
    135057.jpg
  • Colorado White Fir Abies concolor (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m <br />
Columnar to conical tree. BARK Dark grey, fissured with age. BRANCHES Yellowish twigs bear resinous buds. LEAVES Bluish-grey needles in 2 ranks, curving upwards; to 6cm long with 2 pale blue bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones cylindrical, erect, 10cm long, green, ripening purple then brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of NW USA. Planted for ornament.
    135055.jpg
  • Mountain Pine Pinus mugo (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Two forms: tree-sized ssp. uncinata and shrub-like ssp. mugo. BARK Greyish-black in all trees. LEAVES Bright-green needles in all trees, to 8cm long, curved and stiff, appearing whorled. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS All trees have male flowers in clusters near shoot tips; female flowers reddish, in groups of 1–3. Ripe cones ovoid, pale brown, to 5cm long; scales have a small prickle. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Alps, Pyrenees and Balkans; dwarf forms occur at high altitudes.
    135052.jpg
  • Arolla Pine Pinus cembra (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 29m <br />
Densely crowned and slender-conical when mature with a strong bole. BARK Reddish-grey, peeling, resinous. LEAVES Needles, to 8cm long, crowded and almost erect. Leaf margins faintly toothed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Squat cones, to 8cm long, on short stalks; violet-blue first, ripening rich brown. Scales rounded; cones usually fall intact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Alps and Carpathians, planted here for ornament.
    135050.jpg
  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
    135032.jpg
  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
    134998.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    134993.jpg
  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
    134985.jpg
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    134983.jpg
  • Syrian Juniper Juniperus drupacea (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Shapely evergreen, forming a slender, tall column of compact, bright-green foliage. Occasionally the trunk and crown divide to make a more conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling away in thin shreds. LEAVES Needle-like, pointed with a spine and 2 pale bands on the underside, and are longer than any other Juniper at 2.5cm. Needles grow in bunches of 3. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male trees produce tiny, bright yellowish-green, oval flowers. Female trees produce tiny green flowers in small clusters at the tips of twigs, opening in spring, and these develop into rounded, woody cones, about 2cm in diameter, which turn purple-brown when mature. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests in W Asia; range just extends into Greece. Occasionally planted in British and Irish gardens.
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  • Prickly Juniper or Cade Juniperus oxycedrus (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 14m. Spreading evergreen shrub or small untidy tree. BARK Brown, sometimes tinged with purple; peels away in vertical strips. LEAVES Sharply pointed needles arranged in whorls of 3; upper leaf surface has 2 pale bands separated by slightly raised midrib, and lower surface has pronounced midrib. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are rounded or pear-shaped, and mature to a reddish colour. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S Europe, generally preferring dry habitats.
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  • Deodar Cedrus deodara (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 36m <br />
Broadly conical evergreen with drooping leading shoot on the tapering crown.. BARK Almost black on old trees, fissured into small plates. BRANCHES With drooping tips. LEAVES In whorls of 15–20 on short lateral shoots, or in spirals on larger twigs. Needles are 2–5cm long, shortest on lateral shoots, dark green with pale-grey lines on either side. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers purplish, turning yellow with autumn pollen release, to 12cm long. Mature female cones are solid and barrel-shaped, to 14cm long and 8cm across, growing only on older trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W Himalayas. Introduced into Britain in 1831 and widely planted in parks and gardens, where it can form a stately tree.
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  • Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis Pinaceae Height to 52m<br />
Conical evergreen with spire-like crown and buttressed trunk. Bark Greyish-brown, scaly. Branches Ascending with pendent side-shoots. Needles To 3cm long, keeled, bright green above with 2 pale-blue bands below. Reproductive parts Female cones yellowish at first, becoming cylin¬drical and shiny pale brown. Status Native of W North America. Planted here for its lightweight, strong timber.
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  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
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  • Bhutan Pine Pinus wallichiana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 35m  <br />
Narrowly columnar, becoming shapeless with age. BARK Greyish brown and resinous. BRANCHES Lower ones spreading, upper ones ascending. LEAVES Needles, to 20cm long and 7mm wide, supple with finely toothed margin. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones long, cylindrical, to 25cm long, growing below shoot, light-brown and resinous. Cone scales wedge-shaped and grooved, thickened at tip. Basal scales are sometimes reflexed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Himalayas, planted here for ornament.
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  • Bhutan Pine Pinus wallichiana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 35m  <br />
Narrowly columnar, becoming shapeless with age. BARK Greyish brown and resinous. BRANCHES Lower ones spreading, upper ones ascending. LEAVES Needles, to 20cm long and 7mm wide, supple with finely toothed margin. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones long, cylindrical, to 25cm long, growing below shoot, light-brown and resinous. Cone scales wedge-shaped and grooved, thickened at tip. Basal scales are sometimes reflexed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Himalayas, planted here for ornament.
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  • Dahurian Larch Larix gmelinii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Slender, conical deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Level, sometimes forming flattish areas of foliage, and supporting long, yellowish or red-brown, downy shoots. LEAVES Blunt-tipped needles, bright green above with 2 paler bands below, to 4cm long; in clusters of 25. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones similar to those of other larches, with pinkish or greenish, slightly projecting bracts, becoming brown when ripe, with square-ended scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, sometimes planted for timber or as a specimen tree here.
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  • Tamarack Larix laricina (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
A very slender, upright tree, the N American counterpart of Common Larch, with the smallest cones and flowers of any larch. BARK Pinkish and scaly. BRANCHES Twisted, with curled shoots. LEAVES Dark green, narrow needles with grey bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones purplish, to 2cm long with 15-20 scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to northern N America. Planted occasionally here for ornament.
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  • Western Larch Larix occidentalis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Largest of all the larches, although it rarely reaches its maximum height away from its native range. A tall, slender, conical tree. BARK Grey and scaly, forming deep fissures low down. BRANCHES slightly ascending and short with red-brown shoots. LEAVES Soft needles up to 4cm long, borne in tufts on side-shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow, and pendent below the shoots; female flowers are red and upright above the shoot on the same tree. Both open in spring. Cones are ovoid, 4cm long, with long bracts protruding from between the scales, distinguishing this from all other larches. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION native of mountains of British Columbia, south to Oregon. Introduced in 1881 into Britain, where there are now some very fine specimens in mature collections.
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  • Tamarack Larix laricina (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
A very slender, upright tree, the N American counterpart of Common Larch, with the smallest cones and flowers of any larch. BARK Pinkish and scaly. BRANCHES Twisted, with curled shoots. LEAVES Dark green, narrow needles with grey bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones purplish, to 2cm long with 15-20 scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to northern N America. Planted occasionally here for ornament.
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  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
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  • Spanish (Hedgehog) Fir Abies pinsapo (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Shapely at first, becoming open-crowned and straggly with age. BARK Dark grey. LEAVES Bluish-grey, usually blunt, needles, to 1.5cm long, densely arranged all around twig. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers red, opening yellow; female flowers green, in upright clusters above shoot. Cones cylindrical, tapering, upright and smooth. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of Sierra Nevada in S Spain. Sometimes planted for ornament here; tolerates calcareous soils.
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  • Caucasian Fir Abies nordmanniana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 42m. Large, shapely fir with thick foliage. BARK Dull grey and fissured with age, forming small square plates. LEAVES Tough, green, forward-pointing needles, in dense rows around brownish twigs; 1.5–3.5cm long, slightly notched at tip and grooved above. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and grow on underside of shoot. Female flowers are greener and upright, borne in separate clusters on same tree. Cones are found high up on mature trees (30m); 12-18cm long, dark brown and resinous with projecting, downcurved scales. They break up on the tree. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native from Turkey eastwards. Planted here for ornament.
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  • Grecian Fir Abies cephalonica (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 36m <br />
Spreading tree. BARK Grey with a hint of orange in young trees, deeper grey and fissured to form squarish plates in maturity. LEAVES rigid, prickly needles arising from all round hairless red-brown twigs (not in rows); up to 3cm long with 2 white bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones upright, rich golden-brown, up to 16cm long. Downcurved triangular bracts protrude from between scales. Mature trees are often heavily loaded with cones. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Greek mountains. Grows well in dry areas of Britain, but also thrives in wet regions, where it reaches the greatest size.
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  • Western Larch Larix occidentalis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Largest of all the larches, although it rarely reaches its maximum height away from its native range. A tall, slender, conical tree. BARK Grey and scaly, forming deep fissures low down. BRANCHES slightly ascending and short with red-brown shoots. LEAVES Soft needles up to 4cm long, borne in tufts on side-shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow, and pendent below the shoots; female flowers are red and upright above the shoot on the same tree. Both open in spring. Cones are ovoid, 4cm long, with long bracts protruding from between the scales, distinguishing this from all other larches. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION native of mountains of British Columbia, south to Oregon. Introduced in 1881 into Britain, where there are now some very fine specimens in mature collections.
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  • Japanese White Pine Pinus parviflora (Height to 20m) similar to Weymouth Pine P. strobus. Has twisted needles, to 6cm long, blue-green outside and blue-white inside. Ovoid cones, to 7cm long, with tough scales. Native to Japan, planted here occasionally.
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  • Cyprus Cedar Cedrus.. brevifolia (Height to 21m) Similar to Cedar of Lebanon C. libani.  Has dark-green needles shorter than those of other cedars (2cm), and crown is more open. Female cones, to 7cm long, ripen from purple-green to brown. Native of Troodos Mountains on Cyprus; sometimes grown in collections here.
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  • Santa Lucia Fir Abies bracteata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 38m <br />
Tall, narrowly conical evergreen with tapering crown, strong foliage and pointed buds. BARK Black, marked with scars of fallen branches. LEAVES Sharp-spined needles, up to 5cm long, dark green above with 2 light bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Bright-green cones, up to 10cm long, are distinctive with their long projecting hair-like bracts, which persist throughout summer. Flowers are small and insignificant; males yellowish, growing on underside of shoot, females green, growing on top of shoot. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of S California. Does well in rainier parts of our region.
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  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
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  • Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine Pinus aristata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
Small, slow-growing tree. LEAVES Needles, 2–4cm long, dark green, often flecked with white resin; turpentine-scented and persist for many years. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones, to 6cm long; 6mm-long spine on each scale. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Rocky Mountains, rarely planted here.
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  • Arolla Pine Pinus cembra (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 29m <br />
Densely crowned and slender-conical when mature with a strong bole. BARK Reddish-grey, peeling, resinous. LEAVES Needles, to 8cm long, crowded and almost erect. Leaf margins faintly toothed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Squat cones, to 8cm long, on short stalks; violet-blue first, ripening rich brown. Scales rounded; cones usually fall intact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Alps and Carpathians, planted here for ornament.
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  • Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta (ssp. latifolia). Similar to Beach Pine (ssp. Pinaceae) Columnar with a less dense crown; usually grows on a much straighter, but sometimes divided trunk. Needles are broader than those of Beach Pine, and more spread apart. Grows in the mountains well inland away from sea. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS All trees have male flowers in dense clusters near the tips of shoots. Female flowers grow in groups of up to 4 close to the tip of the shoot. Cones are rounded to ovoid, up to 6cm long and 3cm in diameter, and usually a shiny yellow-brown. Each cone scale has a slender, sharp tip, which easily breaks off.<br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to coastal western North America, widely planted here for timber on poor soils and exposed, often upland, sites.
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  • Macedonian Pine Pinus peuce (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Narrowly conical; trunk slender and crown pointed. BARK Greyish-green. LEAVES Slender, supple needles, to 12cm long, with toothed margins and pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones to 20cm long, mostly cylindrical, sometimes curved near tip; grow below shoots, green, ripening to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Balkans, planted here occasionally.
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  • Dunkeld (Hybrid) Larch Larix x eurolepis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m. Vigorous deciduous conifer, conical in outline when mature. Shares characteristics with both parents (Common Larch and Japanese Larch); most features intermediate between the 2 but rather variable. BARK Similar to Japanese Larch. LEAVES Dark green needles, to 5cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are pinkish at first, but ripen yellow-brown and have slightly reflexed scales with projecting bracts. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION More vigorous than either parents, and copes better with harsh conditions and poor soils; quite widely planted, mostly for timber but occasionally for ornament
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  • Ponderosa Pine (Western Yellow Pine) Pinus ponderosa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m (50m). Large, slender, conical pine with a sturdy, straight bole. BARK Scaly pinkish-brown. LEAVES Needles, to 30cm long, narrow (3mm) and stiffly curved with finely toothed edges and a sharp, pointed tip; clustered densely on shoots and persist for 3 years. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are ovoid, up to 15cm long and 5cm across, on short stalks or directly on twigs, sometimes leaving a few scales behind when they fall; solitary or in small clusters. Cone scales are oblong with swollen, exposed, ridged tips hiding 5cm-long, oval, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W USA, planted here mostly for ornament.
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  • Alpine Fir Abies lasiocarpa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 16m <br />
Narrowly conical tree. BARK Greyish-white, smooth with resinous blisters. LEAVES Notched needles, to 4cm long, greyish green above, 2 white bands below; dense, on upper side of shoot, central ones pointing forwards; REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers yellow, tinged red; grow below shoot. Female flowers purple, upright; in clusters on same plant. Cones cylindrical, to 10cm long, purple, ripening brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native W USA uplands.
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  • Bosnian Pine Pinus heldriechii (leucodermis) (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly pyramidal tree with a tapering bole. BARK Grey, with irregular plates. Whitish patches appear with age. LEAVES Paired needles, to 9cm long, densely packed on shoots, stiff and projecting at right-angles, pungent. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones, to 8cm long and 2.5cm across, narrowly ovoid and ripening to brown; scales have a recurved prickle. Second-year cones are deep blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Balkans and SW Italy, mainly on dry mountain limestone. Planted here for ornament, thriving on free-draining soils.
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  • Bhutan Pine Pinus wallichiana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 35m  <br />
Narrowly columnar, becoming shapeless with age. BARK Greyish brown and resinous. BRANCHES Lower ones spreading, upper ones ascending. LEAVES Needles, to 20cm long and 7mm wide, supple with finely toothed margin. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones long, cylindrical, to 25cm long, growing below shoot, light-brown and resinous. Cone scales wedge-shaped and grooved, thickened at tip. Basal scales are sometimes reflexed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Himalayas, planted here for ornament.
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  • Bhutan Pine Pinus wallichiana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 35m  <br />
Narrowly columnar, becoming shapeless with age. BARK Greyish brown and resinous. BRANCHES Lower ones spreading, upper ones ascending. LEAVES Needles, to 20cm long and 7mm wide, supple with finely toothed margin. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones long, cylindrical, to 25cm long, growing below shoot, light-brown and resinous. Cone scales wedge-shaped and grooved, thickened at tip. Basal scales are sometimes reflexed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Himalayas, planted here for ornament.
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  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
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  • Corsican Pine Pinus nigra ssp. maritima (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Similar to ssp. nigra but more shapely. BRANCHES Shorter than ssp. nigra and level, so young trees are columnar. LEAVES Soft, narrow needles, paler green than ssp. nigra, to 15cm long, often twisted in young trees. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones similar to ssp. nigra. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Corsica, S Italy and Sicily, planted here on lowland heaths, coastal dunes, and poor soils. Resistant to pollution.
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  • Colorado White Fir Abies concolor (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m <br />
Columnar to conical tree. BARK Dark grey, fissured with age. BRANCHES Yellowish twigs bear resinous buds. LEAVES Bluish-grey needles in 2 ranks, curving upwards; to 6cm long with 2 pale blue bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones cylindrical, erect, 10cm long, green, ripening purple then brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of NW USA. Planted for ornament.
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  • Cyprus Cedar Cedrus.. brevifolia (Height to 21m) Similar to Cedar of Lebanon C. libani.  Has dark-green needles shorter than those of other cedars (2cm), and crown is more open. Female cones, to 7cm long, ripen from purple-green to brown. Native of Troodos Mountains on Cyprus; sometimes grown in collections here.
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  • Western Hemlock-spruce Tsuga heterophylla (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m.  Large, narrowly conical evergreen with dense foliage; crown spire-like with drooping leading shoot. LEAVES Needles, dark glossy green above with 2 pale bands below, in 2 flattened rows on either side of shoot. Note, 2 leaf sizes (hence heterophylla): some 6mm long, others to 2cm long, both with rounded tips and toothed margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers reddish at first, but yellowing with pollen. Female cones solitary, ovoid and pendent, to 3cm long; scales blunt. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W North America. Widely planted here and reaches a great size.
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  • Norway Spruce Picea abies Pinaceae Height to 44m.<br />
Narrowly conical tree and the archetypal Christmas Tree. Bark Brownish, scaly and resinous. Branches almost level. Needles 4-angled on short pegs. Reproductive parts Male cones small, yellowish and clustered near tips of shoots. Female cones, to 18cm long, are pendulous. Status Native of European mountains. Widely planted here as Christmas Trees and in shelter-belts.
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  • Cedar of Lebanon - Cedrus libani (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Mature tree is flat-topped with immense trunk in old trees. BARK Dark grey, fissured and ridged, becoming dark brown in very old trees. BRANCHES Main ones are massive and ascending; smaller, lateral branches level, supporting flat plates of foliage. LEAVES Needles, to 3cm long, usually in clusters of only 10–15 on short shoots, singly if growing on long shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones greyish or blue-green and erect, to 7.5cm long. Mature female cones are solid, ovoid, to 12cm long and 7cm across, ripening from purple-green to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests of E Mediterranean; widely planted here in parks and gardens since 1640.
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  • Macedonian Pine Pinus peuce (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Narrowly conical; trunk slender and crown pointed. BARK Greyish-green. LEAVES Slender, supple needles, to 12cm long, with toothed margins and pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones to 20cm long, mostly cylindrical, sometimes curved near tip; grow below shoots, green, ripening to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Balkans, planted here occasionally.
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  • Pine Hawk-moth Hyloicus pinastri Wingspan 80mm. An extremely well-camouflaged moth when resting on the bark of pine trees.  Adult has grey-brown forewings marked with darker streaks and stippled with dark spot. The hindwings are flushed buffish but are only occasionally exposed if the moth is alarmed. Flies June–July. Larva is green with lengthways pale stripes and a dark ‘horn’ at the tail end. Larva feeds on Scots Pine needles. Locally common only in southern England.
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  • Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris Pinaceae Height to 36m<br />
Conical evergreen becoming flat-topped with age. <br />
Bark Grey-brown and scaly low down, red or orange higher up. Branches Irregular. Needles Paired, grey-green to 7cm long. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow, at tips previous year’s shoots. Female flowers grow at tips of new shoots; crimson at first, ripening to brown cones. Status Native to parts of Scotland, also planted for timber and naturalised there and throughout Britain.
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  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
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  • Colorado White Fir Abies concolor (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m <br />
Columnar to conical tree. BARK Dark grey, fissured with age. BRANCHES Yellowish twigs bear resinous buds. LEAVES Bluish-grey needles in 2 ranks, curving upwards; to 6cm long with 2 pale blue bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones cylindrical, erect, 10cm long, green, ripening purple then brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of NW USA. Planted for ornament.
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  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
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  • Spanish (Hedgehog) Fir Abies pinsapo (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Shapely at first, becoming open-crowned and straggly with age. BARK Dark grey. LEAVES Bluish-grey, usually blunt, needles, to 1.5cm long, densely arranged all around twig. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers red, opening yellow; female flowers green, in upright clusters above shoot. Cones cylindrical, tapering, upright and smooth. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of Sierra Nevada in S Spain. Sometimes planted for ornament here; tolerates calcareous soils.
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  • Aleppo Pine Pinus halepensis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
A small pine, often growing in a gnarled and deformed manner. BARK Young trees have shiny, smooth, silvery-grey bark, becoming scaly, fissured and redder with age. BRANCHES Twigs are characteristically pale grey, or even white. LEAVES Paired needles are slender (0.7mm), to 15cm long, sometimes slightly twisted and with very finely toothed margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Red-brown cones are up to 12cm long and 4cm across, oval or conical and borne singly on short stalks, or in groups of 2–3, and sometimes deflexed. Cone scales are shiny reddish-brown with hide winged seeds up to 2cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Widespread and common around Mediterranean, planted here for ornament.
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  • Dahurian Larch Larix gmelinii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Slender, conical deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Level, sometimes forming flattish areas of foliage, and supporting long, yellowish or red-brown, downy shoots. LEAVES Blunt-tipped needles, bright green above with 2 paler bands below, to 4cm long; in clusters of 25. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones similar to those of other larches, with pinkish or greenish, slightly projecting bracts, becoming brown when ripe, with square-ended scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, sometimes planted for timber or as a specimen tree here.
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  • Arolla Pine Pinus cembra (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 29m <br />
Densely crowned and slender-conical when mature with a strong bole. BARK Reddish-grey, peeling, resinous. LEAVES Needles, to 8cm long, crowded and almost erect. Leaf margins faintly toothed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Squat cones, to 8cm long, on short stalks; violet-blue first, ripening rich brown. Scales rounded; cones usually fall intact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Alps and Carpathians, planted here for ornament.
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  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
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  • Northern Pitch Pine Pinus rigida. Similar to Monterey Pine P. radiata. (Height to 20m) Narrowly conical tree with stiff, tough needles in clusters of 3, and small cylindrical or rounded cones with thinner, but stiff (hence rigida) scales. Striking feature, unique to this species of pine, is sprouting foliage on the bole. Native to E coasts of N America, occasionally planted here.
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  • Chinese Plum Yew (Chinese Cow-tail Pine Cephalotaxus fortunei (Cephalotaxaceae) HEIGHT to 10m. Small, densely foliaged tree. Usually has a single bole but sometimes 2 or 3. BARK Reddish and peeling. BRANCHES Dense foliage can sometimes become so heavy that the branches sag. LEAVES Flattened needles, up to 10cm long greenish and glossy above with 2 pale bands on the underside; borne on either side of bright-green shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish or creamy male and female flowers appear on separate plants, opening in spring. Fruits are up to 2.5cm long and oval with fleshy, purple-brown skin. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests in central and E China; sometimes grown as an ornamental garden tree.
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  • Chinese Plum Yew (Chinese Cow-tail Pine Cephalotaxus fortunei (Cephalotaxaceae) HEIGHT to 10m. Small, densely foliaged tree. Usually has a single bole but sometimes 2 or 3. BARK Reddish and peeling. BRANCHES Dense foliage can sometimes become so heavy that the branches sag. LEAVES Flattened needles, up to 10cm long greenish and glossy above with 2 pale bands on the underside; borne on either side of bright-green shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish or creamy male and female flowers appear on separate plants, opening in spring. Fruits are up to 2.5cm long and oval with fleshy, purple-brown skin. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests in central and E China; sometimes grown as an ornamental garden tree.
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  • Prickly Juniper or Cade Juniperus oxycedrus (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 14m. Spreading evergreen shrub or small untidy tree. BARK Brown, sometimes tinged with purple; peels away in vertical strips. LEAVES Sharply pointed needles arranged in whorls of 3; upper leaf surface has 2 pale bands separated by slightly raised midrib, and lower surface has pronounced midrib. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are rounded or pear-shaped, and mature to a reddish colour. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S Europe, generally preferring dry habitats.
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  • Chinese Plum Yew (Chinese Cow-tail Pine Cephalotaxus fortunei (Cephalotaxaceae) HEIGHT to 10m. Small, densely foliaged tree. Usually has a single bole but sometimes 2 or 3. BARK Reddish and peeling. BRANCHES Dense foliage can sometimes become so heavy that the branches sag. LEAVES Flattened needles, up to 10cm long greenish and glossy above with 2 pale bands on the underside; borne on either side of bright-green shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish or creamy male and female flowers appear on separate plants, opening in spring. Fruits are up to 2.5cm long and oval with fleshy, purple-brown skin. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests in central and E China; sometimes grown as an ornamental garden tree.
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