Pinaceae
1a. Leaves needle-like, all or mostly grouped in definite clusters ... 2
2a. Leaves crowded on short lateral shoots (leaves alternate and borne singly on new twigs), deciduous; female cones to 3.5 cm long ... Larix
Leaves in clusters of 2 or 5 (sometimes 3), evergreen; female cones more than 3 cm long... Pinus
1b. Leaves flattened or 4-sided, alternate, not in definite clusters ... 3
3a. Leaves persistent on dried branches, sessile, separating cleanly from a leaf-scar on the surface of the twig; female cones borne upright ... Abies
3b. Leaves readily falling from dried branches, leaving persistent peg-like bases on the twigs; female cones pendent ... 4
4a. Leaves flattened, rounded at the apex, distinctly short-stalked ... Tsuga
4b. Leaves 4-sided, acute at the apex, sessile on peg-like base ... Picea
This is our most diverse family of conifers and its native members are important components of many northern forest types. Most of our native species are cultivated as landscape or timber trees and may escape outside of their natural ranges.