A Christmas tree story

Pine trees, a Christmas classic known and loved by many. We humans have been using this plant to celebrate holiday’s (i.e. Christmas) and other events for thousands of years. In addition to bringing cheer and joy into our homes during gloomy winter months, pine trees have many other values (i.e. lumber, rosin & turpentine). Pines can grow many places, but are especially talented at growing in cold, dry climates.

Pine leaves have a reduced leaf surface area and are coated with a thick waxy cuticle, both of which help protect the plant in cold weather. The stomata (gas exchange pores) in their leaves are “sunken” which reduces the amount of water the release into the atmosphere; the leaves of pine trees are often key in their identification!

You identify some pines by counting the needle clusters. Needles can occur alone or in clusters of 2-5. Other visual hints for identification include leaf shape and stomatal bands.

See the character guide below for a guide to identifying your Christmas tree!