Conifers
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Published: July 25, 2006
A conifer is not defined as being an evergreen or having needles, though it is usually the case. Conifers are gymnosperms and are classified as bearing cones, as their name suggests, instead of bearing fruits. Conifer trees use the wind to pollinate instead of using insects or other pollinating animals.
Growing Conditions
Because there is an overwhelming variety of conifers found around the world, you can easily find one suited to your climate conditions. For most conifer trees, the ideal soil is slightly acidic and well-drained. Hemlock, dawn redwood, bald cypress and Atlantic white cedar grow best in moist soil, while junipers, pines and true cedars prefer dry conditions. For areas that experience bitter cold winters, try planting Black spruce, balsam fir or Siberian cypress, and for warmer temperate areas, Arizona cypress, Japanese cedar and deodar cedar grow best. Most conifer trees grow best in full sun, except for Hemlock and plum yew, which can tolerate shade well.
Planting
The best time to plant conifer trees is in early autumn, unless you live in an area with bitter cold winters. In the cooler autumn weather, the conifer has more time to develop a deeper root system in the moist soil. Conifer trees need soil with good drainage and space for air. Don't plant your conifer too deep, especially if you have heavy or clay soil. If your tree was started in a container, first prune off any roots outside the main root ball. If your conifer was dug and transported in a burlap sack around the root ball, remove as much of the burlap as possible without damaging the roots. Don't tamper with the soil in the planting site, as it can discourage root development. Stake the conifer only if it is planted in a windy location. Water it deeply and infrequently, which will allow the deeper soil to stay moist and the shallow portion of the soil to dry in between waterings. After the conifer has begun to grow, remove any stakes or support structures.
Pruning
A conifer should never be overly-pruned, because many varieties do not sprout new growths after they have been cut. Over-pruning a conifer could result in the death of the tree. The yew and the bald cypress are the exceptions to this rule, as they do produce new growth after pruning. It's okay to prune any conifer a little bit, just remember to respect the natural form of the tree as much as possible.
Landscaping
Because conifers keep their needles year-round (except for the larch, dawn redwood and tamarak), they make for an interesting and permanent color scheme. Their dense foliage is great for creating visual screens and windbreaks; the dark foliage is also a perfect backdrop to a flowerbed or flowering shrubs.
