Conifers are, most simply, woody plants. There are about 630 species of conifers. The great majority are trees, though a few are shrubs. Characterized by seed-bearing cones, conifers typically have narrow, needle-like leaves covered with a waxy cuticle and straight trunks with horizontal branches. Conifers have a lifespan that ranges from a few decades to … Read more
A tree is a perennial plant with a trunk, supporting branches and leaves in most species. The four main parts of a tree are the roots, the trunk, the branches, and the leaves. Trees usually reproduce using seeds. Flowers and fruit may be present, but some trees, such as conifers, instead have pollen cones and … Read more
Bonsai is a fascinating art-form that combines horticultural techniques and Asian aesthetics in a unique way. The art originates in the Chinese empire and was copied and adapted by the Japanese to what we know now as Bonsai trees. Literally translated “bon-sai” means “planted in a container”. From the 6th century onwards, Imperial embassy personnel … Read more
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees and shrubs. There are more than 700 species of eucalyptus. Most species are native to Australia, with a very small number of native species found in parts of adjacent New Guinea and Indonesia and one as far away as the Philippines. Nearly all eucalyptus are evergreen, but … Read more
The giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is the world’s largest tree and largest living thing by volume. It is neither the tallest extant species of tree (that distinction belongs to the coast redwood), nor is it the widest (that distinction belongs to the baobab tree or Montezuma Cypresses), nor is it the longest-lived (that distinction belongs … Read more