Coniferous trees, also known as conifers, are trees that produce cones and have long, needle-like leaves. Conifers grow upward in a triangular shape adapted for cold climates. The cones are important because they produce and shelter the tree's seeds. Most conifers have both male and female cones, with the female cones containing eggs that develop into seeds when pollinated. The needles are an adaptation that help the tree retain water in cold, snowy climates. Conifers are ecologically important as they provide shelter, lumber, and produce oxygen.

1. Coniferous Trees

2. Trees that grow cones are called conifers.

3. Coniferous trees grow up instead of out like a
deciduous tree and are shaped like a triangle.
The leaves are usually long, pointy needles.
Spruce
Fir
Pine

4. The cones of the conifers are very important to
the coniferous tree because it is there that the
tree makes and shelters its seeds.
Cones are made up of many scales that serve to
protect the seeds.

5. Female cone
Male cone
Most coniferous
trees have both male
and female cones.
Female cones contain
eggs.
Male cones are small
and soft. They
produce (make)
pollen. Once the
pollen is released,
male cones shrivel
and die.
When the egg is
pollinated a seed
develops

6. When it's time, the
Pine cone with seeds. scales of the cone open
and the seeds fall to
the ground.

7. Coniferous trees with their
long needle like leaves thrive
where summers are short and
cool and winters long and
harsh, with heavy snowfall
that can last as long as 6
months.

8. These needles are
pretty amazing
adaptations. It is their
long thin shape and
wax covering that
slows down
evaporation so the tree
doesn't lose much
water. It is this
adaptation that allows
trees with needles to
grow in areas where it
is cold most of the
year and where there
is little precipitation.

9. Conifer trees do lose
their leaves but only a
few at a time and these
are quickly replaced.
Since they generally
live in colder areas of
the world, they always
have some leaves so as
soon as it warms up
and the sun shines, they
can make food.

10. Coniferous
trees are
triangular
shaped and the
branches are
soft and
flexible. As a
result snow
slides off the
tree without
breaking its
limbs.

11. Coniferous
trees are used
for Christmas
trees. They can
be cut and put
into a stand
filled with
water.

12. The Tree can
last for many
weeks. It can
be decorated
with lights and
ornaments.

13. Coniferous trees
are important to
our world, they
provide shelter for
animals, lumber to
build houses and
produces oxygen
for our air.