Winter Bliss: How to Select from Different Types of Conifers

Conifers are super versatile trees that come in various shapes, sizes, and colours. The mere beauty and pine fragrance of conifers make them great ornamental trees. Especially, if you want to add a natural element to your backyard, garden, or outdoor space. However, with countless varieties, it becomes confusing to choose one. Although most people find smaller varieties of conifers easy to grow and maintain, it is totally up to your choice. They all look great but it's important to note that choosing the one that suits your needs is much more important. That’s why, here is a little guide on the most common classifications of conifers for sale.

Different types of conifers

1.     Based on species

Based on the species, conifers are generally classified according to the needle type. The needles (leaves) can be flat, blade-like, long, scale-like, etc., making different conifers unique on their own.

• Pine: Pine trees can come in 100 species and typically have needles in clusters of two to five. But some pine species come in groups of seven. Also, pine trees develop iconic pine cones that are traditional conical shapes.
• Cedar: The cedar tree is distinctive because of its flat, supple, and smooth needles. They can get fairly large and tall and prefer to grow in damp environments.
• Fir: Fir trees have a typical needle length of about one inch. Firs are also popular when selecting a Christmas tree, for example, Noble fir and White fir.
•  Spruce: The needles on spruce trees are incredibly rigid, and some can be extremely pointy too. However, the needles are just up to half an inch long. Although spruces have a similar appearance to firs, their cones droop, and their leaves are much stiffer than the latter.

2.     Based on size

Although they come in various sizes and shapes, typically they are divided into four categories.

• Miniature: Less than 1 inch is added to little trees every year. At age 10, a typical miniature will be twice as wide and no more than 10 inches tall.
• Dwarf: Dwarf conifers often reach heights of 2 to 6 feet in 10 years and grow between 1 and 6 inches annually.
• Intermediate: Conifers classified as "intermediate size" are those that typically reach heights of 6 to 15 feet and grow 6 to 12 inches annually.
• Large: Large conifers typically reach heights of 15 feet or more and grow more than 12 inches annually.

Bottom Line

Overall, what matters most is how you care and maintain these conifers. It's just that choosing the right one makes them easy to handle for optimal health. So, if you are planning to get a conifer hedge for sale soon, consider your requirements and environment to see which one is the best. If you are still confused, do not hesitate to contact your trusted nursery. A reliable nursery not just provides you with the best advice but also delivers large conifers for sale to your doorstep. This way, selecting and bringing home your favourite conifer becomes easy as ever!