Nevertheless, learning the key needle-leaf features of conifer trees can fast-track your ID skills - especially since conifer trees retain their leaves all year round (unlike deciduous trees). This article is not an attempt to bypass other key coniferous tree features such as the habitat preference, bark, cones, twigs and profiles that are specific to each conifer tree species. Throughout great tracts of the Taiga - the pines, spruces, larches and to a lesser extent, firs, are often among the most dominant tree species present.įor example, much of the Taiga of North America consist of spruces, whereas much of the Scandinavian Taiga consists of spruce, pine and birch, while much of the Russian Taiga consists of spruces, pine and larches.Īlthough firs are not listed above, they are a widespread and important conifer tree genus partly because of the exceptional medicinal and flammable properties of its resin. Within these great tracts of forest are quite a few conifer tree species.Īll these tree species belong to various conifer tree genus or family - with each genus/family possessing it's own particular slew of key, identification features. On first impressions the Northern Woods can seem foreboding! With enough time & exposure these wild lands can reveal their immense allure (Photo: Cian Fagan - Ontario, Canada). Learning how to identify these trees will provide a great entry point to the often confusing similarity among the different conifer tree species.ĭefinition of Taiga - " A forest located in the Earth's far northern regions, consisting mainly of cone-bearing evergreens, such as firs, pines, and spruces, and some deciduous trees, such as larches, birches, and aspens" ( Reference Link). Whether you are selecting spruce roots for cordage, pine needles for a vitamin C-rich tea, using balsam fir resin for fire-starting or requiring the tough wood of larch for robust, bushcraft projects – knowing the different conifer tree species will give you a significant edge when living among conifer trees.įirs, larches, pines and spruces are among the most common, widespread and important of the coniferous tree species throughout the Taiga or Northern Woods - where conifer trees are dominant. When it comes to selecting the right resource for the job, positive identification is the first step - and when it comes to coniferous trees the key identification features of the needle-like leaves are very helpful in narrowing down identification (often to species level). This is especially true of trees - a basic and varied bushcraft resource. Most people don't go to the supermarket to randomly buy any old thing.įrom a bushcraft perspective the natural environment is like a supermarket (albeit a very big one!).Īs a bushcrafter you are always striving to select natural resources to suit your needs based on what is locally available. GETTING TO KNOW THE PINES, SPRUCES, FIRS & LARCHES The beautiful, layered bark of Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris (Photo: Sean Fagan). How to Identify Pines, Spruces, Firs & Larches.4 Bushcraft Lessons From The San People.How Does Your Body Measure up for Bushcraft?.How Urban Botany will Improve your Bushcraft.
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