The external structure of conifers.

Most conifers are characterized by a conical shape and the presence of one straight trunk. The lower the branches are, the longer they are. These plants do not have leaves, but needles grow instead. The needles can be attached to the branches and on the stem either one at a time (like a spruce), or two or more pieces (like a pine). Most conifers growing in the north of the planet have rounded needles (fir, spruce, pine, etc.). In the warm coniferous regions of the planet, the needles are often flat (hemlock, some araucaria, etc.).