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Let’s Learn About…

Conifer Trees!

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What Is a Conifer Tree?

• Has cones• Has needles

– Needles stay green year round until they die

• Has soft wood• Has seeds inside the cones

White Pine Tree

A conifer tree…

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What Kinds of Conifers Will We See in the Forest?

White PineRed Pine

Eastern Hemlock Eastern Red Cedar

Norway Spruce

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What Do Conifer Branches Look Like?

White PineRed Pine

Eastern Hemlock Eastern Red Cedar

Norway Spruce

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Let’s Study the White Pine!

• Are the white pine cones short or long?• Are the white pine needles short or long?• How many needles are on a stem?

White Pine

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Let’s Study the Red Pine!

• Are the red pine cones short or long?• Are the red pine needles short or long?• How many needles are on a stem?

Red Pine

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Let’s Compare Needles of Some Conifer Trees!

White Pine Needles Norway Spruce Needles

• How are these needles different?• How are these needles the same?

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Let’s Compare Cones of Some Conifer Trees!

Eastern Hemlock Cone Pitch Pine Cone

• How are these cones different?• How are these cones the same?

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Let’s Compare Bark of Some Conifer Trees!

Red Pine Bark Eastern Red Cedar Bark

• How are these pieces of bark different?• How are these pieces of bark the same?

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What Other Questions Can a Tree Detective Ask?

How tall is the tree?

What is the shape of the tree?

What do the twigs look like?

A red pine tree can grow 110 feet tall!

A Norway spruce is shaped like a Christmas tree!

Scotch pine twigs have hairy spikes on them!

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What Other Questions Can a Tree Detective Ask?

What animals do we see around the tree?

What is the wood like?

What do the seeds look like?

Birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and mice like the seeds and needles of white pine trees!

Cedar wood is red and has a funny smell!

Pitch pine seeds have wings!

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Have Fun Being a Tree Detective!