Evergreen coniferous trees: a role in the past and present of the Earth

Coniferous trees include almost all of them.species whose seeds ripen in cones. Contrary to conventional wisdom, evergreen conifers grow not only in our latitudes, but also in tropical countries.

By area of ​​their distribution, they can safelybet even with the forests of South America. In total there are about 800 species, many of which still remember dinosaurs. Most of the modern conifers are trees, but many shrub forms are found.

In the biotopes of taiga, it is conifers (as the most hardy) that make up most of the local flora.

As we have said, almost all evergreensconifers form cones, although juniper breeds with berries. They received their name due to the fact that they do not have a seasonal change of leaf cover: the needles are gradually updated year-round throughout the entire life cycle of the tree.

This circumstance, as well as the fact of the presence of shrub forms, made them extremely popular among landscape designers.

It is from coniferous trees that many were created.hedges of palaces and castles, featuring a stunning appearance. In addition, all their types emit a lot of phytoncids, effectively purifying the air. Unfortunately, evergreen conifers cannot be used for urban greening, because they do not tolerate smog.

Along with ferns, these plants belong to the category of the most ancient. So, coal seams in many respects consist of fossilized wood of coniferous trees.

And now we will consider some especially outstanding their versions.

Evergreen Sequoia can reach a height of 115.2meters (like a house of 45 floors) and grow more than one millennium. But all evergreen conifers look like “weeds” in front of Giant Sequoiadendron. Some of the currently growing specimens of this tree are supposed to be over 3000 years old! But even this is not a record.

Even these achievements fade away, if you look atPines are long-lived (Pinus longaeva), whose age is approaching five thousands of years! It is assumed that this is the oldest living organisms on our planet.

The thickest conifer is considered to be Mexican Taxiodium, whose diameter is 11.42 meters.

Interesting, and among them there are dwarfs? Yes, and what! Thus, the southern coniferous evergreen dacridium tree friable leaves grows in New Zealand. All his height does not exceed five centimeters.

Conifers are the most common trees in the world.Despite the low species diversity, they play an extremely important role in the ecology of the planet. In addition, they are used for harvesting most of the commercial wood, which is actively used in almost all spheres of human life. Even their resin, being petrified, turns into a jewel: it suffices to recall the Amber Room alone.

Virtually any conifer evergreen treePine family can be fully used by man: it will go not only to the production of wood, but also to the production of pharmaceuticals.