Conifers ID

[Guinnessman1974]

Hi there, can you please assist with these 3
Conifer ID's.

what is the difference between a Pine and Fir tree?

Thanks very much!

[Dorts]

Pine trees belong to the genus Pinus and Fir trees are of the genus Abies;

I've 'cribbed' this next bit as it explains the differences far more clearly than I could do in a few sentances

'Fir trees have relatively short needles, almost always less than 2 inches in length and occur singly on the stem in great numbers. The needle is soft to the touch, flattened with two sides, usually with two white stripes on each needle's underside. The tip of the needle has a notch.

Pine trees have needles that are in clusters, from 2 to 8, very rarely only one per bundle. The needles are glossy, soft, thin and thread-like, with a length from just less than 1 inch to as long as 12 to 16 inches, depending on species.'

Dorts.

[Guinnessman1974]

Many thanks, what species are the three trees please - one looks like a Scots Pine? Thanks again.

[diggleken]

Unless youve a deep experience, you really need to see leaves/shoots/cones to be sure.
But guesses from appearance alone can be made, mine is (l-r) Scots Pine (sylvestris), Austrian or Corsican Pine (nigra) can look unkempt like that and Monterey Pine (radiata). But only wild guesses!
Cheers
Ken

[Dorts]

I have a small 'copse' of Scots pines, and no two are alike in stature, similar but that's all.

Here's a few just out of interest. They certainly change with age.



I would say with G'man's, the tree on the right is almost certainly Scots Pine and possibly also the one on the left. The middle one is difficult without a little more info, trunk, needles or cones etc.
Dorts