A conifer is a type of tree that produces cones and typically has needle-like or scale-like leaves. Pine trees, spruces, firs, and redwoods are all conifers. Instead of flowers and fruits, these trees make woody cones that hold their seeds. If you've ever picked up a pinecone from the ground, you've held part of a conifer's reproductive system.

Most conifers are evergreen, meaning they keep their green needles year-round instead of dropping them in fall like maples or oaks do. This trait helps them survive in cold climates where growing seasons are short. Walk through a northern forest, and you'll likely find yourself surrounded by conifers: their distinctive triangular shapes help them shed heavy snow, and their needles lose less water than broad leaves.

Conifers include some of Earth's most impressive trees. California's giant sequoias can live over 3,000 years and grow taller than the Statue of Liberty. The bristlecone pines of the American West are among the oldest living things on the planet.

When you see a Christmas tree covered in ornaments, you're looking at a conifer, probably a fir or spruce, continuing a tradition that honors these remarkable trees.