Coniferous Trees in Winter

• The waxy coating on a conifer's needles helps retain moisture during the winter months. Normally/Photodisc/Getty Images

  The main identifying features of coniferous trees are the needle-like leaves growing along the branches and the cones produced. Many coniferous trees are evergreen and produce year-round foliage. The Douglas fir, spruce and cedar are a few of the better-known varieties of winter conifers.

Douglas Fir

• Douglas firs, though they are now cultivated around the world, were originally native to only North America and Asia. These medium-sized conifers have thin, flat leaves that circle their branches. They are considered less prickly than other coniferous trees, such as the juniper. Brown seed cones, made of layered scales, hang from the branches of a Douglas firs. Douglas firs, specifically the Pseudotsuga menziesii variety, are among the evergreens most commonly used for Christmas trees in North America.

Juniper

• There are dozens of juniper tree species around the world. The trunk of this evergreen conifer is recognized by the twisting shape it takes from the base toward the branches. The leaves on a juniper are spindly and flat. They come to a fine point at the end, making them prickly. Another defining feature of the juniper is the cone it produces, which at first glance gives the appearance of a small berry. These are generally not eaten, but are used as a spice or flavoring in a variety of cuisines.

Spruce

• The spruce is indigenous to northern cold climates. A group of spruce trees found in the north of Sweden were identified as being nearly 10,000 years old, making them the world's oldest trees. The needle-like leaves on the spruce are spindly and evenly distributed around the branch. The seed cone on a spruce has compact layers that are symmetrical and organized.

Cedar

• The evergreen cedar trees are native to areas with extremely high altitudes, particularly those around the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean and parts of the Himalayas. The leaves of a cedar are distinctive because at about 2 inches in length, they are longer than those found on most other conifers. The cedar also differs from such trees as the Douglas fir and the spruce because its branches stretch out farther in various different directions, leaving the body of the tree more exposed.