|
Description :
Large, graceful
conifer from Europe.
Height :
70-100 feet.
Diameter :
2 feet.
Appearance
: straight trunk and open crown, becoming pyramid shaped with age.
|
 |
| |
|
|
Fruit :
In spring, tiny, bright red cones are formed,
which turn yellowish-brown at maturity. They are ovoid, 0.75 to 1.25 inches
long and are held upright on the twigs, persisting for some years. Cone
scales are overlapping and covered with soft, brown down on the back sides |
 |
| |
|
|
Leaves : Linear
leaves, 0.75 to 1.25 inches long, unstalked. Each leaf is keeled below and
flattened above. Leaves are arranged spirally on the twigs, clustered at the
ends of spur shoots. Spring growth is bright green, turning a soft, darker
green in summer, and finally a brilliant golden color late in the fall.
Unlike most conifers, this species sheds its leaves. |
 |
| |
|
|
Bark :
Bark of young trees is thin and scaly, becoming separated into grayish-brown
plates with deep fissures which expose the reddish-brown inner bark as the
tree matures. |
 |
|
