What types of trees are needle-leaf trees.

There are marked differences in the foliage ofiferous trees found across North America.Some of the attributes that can help you decide what species these needles are are their length, shape, and how they grow from the branches.

Their identification is aided by the size of needles.Pacific yew has needles in the range of 1/2 to one inch long, while California torreya's needles are as long as 3 1/2 inches.When identifying pines, the needle length is important.The sand pine and slash pine have needles that are different lengths.Sand pine needles are from 8 to 10 inches in length.

The arrangement of conifer needles on the branches is significant.Some pines, including Eastern white pine, have five to a bundle.Some species have as few as two, such as bishop pine, sand pine and Virginia pine.According to "Trees of North America," the needles of spruces grow on a "woody peg." Fir tree needles emerge directly from the limbs, while those of hemlocks narrow into what amounts to a short stem at their base.

The shades of green on conifers vary.Pacific silver fir needles are silvery white below and dark green above.Colorado blue spruce needles have a blue-green tint.The knobcone pine is a pale yellow shade.Western larch has green needles that change to yellow in autumn.

The shape of needles can indicate what tree they come from.The needles of hemlock are flat.Black spruce needles in cross-section have a diamond shape, as opposed to the rounded or square view of the needles on an Englemann spruce.