Conifers in Your Garden

Conifers are classified as gymnosperms, and we can encounter them throughout the entire territory of the Czech Republic. They are a widely spread species of trees, though few people know that they are also called conifers, which in complete translation means "cone bearers".

A Bit of History

Conifers have been here much longer than the first mentions of the human race appeared. Their origin can be traced back to the Paleozoic era, specifically to the geological period called the Carboniferous. According to scientists and researchers, this is where the very first conifers appeared. These were the first pioneers that tried to find a firm place on the planet. Everything began much earlier, in the Mesozoic era, where conifers experienced significant progress. They reached their absolute peak during the Cretaceous period. Their specific evolution can be traced through illustrative examples of the oldest primitive plants in the orders Ginkgoales and Cycadales, which we can compare with the younger Pinales.

Distribution of Conifers

If we look for an indisputable difference between conifers and deciduous trees, apart from their appearance, we will find that conifers are much older than deciduous trees. In their early period, they were among the dominant species on our planet. They covered the temperate climate zone most extensively, and they prefer mountain locations where they still dominate today. If we turn our attention to tropical areas where conifers also appear, we will encounter cycad species there. Ginkgoales are facing existential problems, but they have still survived in the Chinese tropical zone, where the last of them are hiding. For a complete picture of their distribution, we must not forget the beautiful category of liana-like conifers, which can be found in both Old and New World regions.

Detailed Description of the Plants

Conifers belong to diverse evergreen trees, though they also occur in the form of shrubs and lianas. They show their advantage in great resilience and the ability to cope with periods of drought and lack of moisture. For the most part, we can say with certainty that they are dioecious plants, which means that one plant has male reproductive organs and another has female reproductive organs. They don't have typical leaves that we can observe on deciduous trees, but their needles are still called leaves. They are even divided into needle-like, scale-like, smooth, or pinnate types. Their leaves continuously grow back thanks to resin ducts. They reproduce with the help of wind or insects, which transfer pollen from male cones to female reproductive organs. Subsequently, fusion occurs and seeds are created, which are freely enclosed in a fleshy coating in one of the cones. There are also dwarf conifers, which have significantly slowed growth.

Orders of Conifers

• Ginkgoales – They are very resilient. They thrive both in dry environments and in harsh conditions with very low temperatures. The reproduction of this nearly extinct species is very similar to others. Male reproductive organs may resemble catkins, containing pollen that must reach the cluster of stalked ovules on female trees. The fruits resemble green cherries, which is the main identifying feature from an amateur perspective. Since its occurrence has narrowed to the area of present-day China, it's no wonder that its seeds appear in their national cuisine, as well as in Japan. They are also widely used as medication and remedy for various ailments.

• Cycadales – These are the lowest dioecious conifers with pinnate leaves. The trees have unisexual cones hidden at the very top of the trunk. This type of conifer has also found use in cuisine. The pith and seeds are sought after, but due to their high toxin content, they require specific preparation – fermentation, boiling, or leaching.

• Pinales – This order has the most numerous genus representation. The seeds are equipped with so-called wings and, after ripening, are released spontaneously from the cones, as they disintegrate under the influence of powerful natural forces. The seeds are dispersed by wind.

• Gnetales – These are evergreen plants that occur in the form of lianas and shrubs, but also trees. In this wood, we can find ephedrine, more precisely in the area of twigs and in the fleshy seed coat, which strikingly resembles berries.

What Conifers Are Used For

The main asset that has always elevated trees to sought-after spheres, and will continue to do so, is the self-renewal process that provides indispensable building and construction material. We increasingly encounter a return to the wooden trend. The demand for it is enormous. It is also used in the paper industry. Trees gave us books, and books gave us knowledge. Trees are also a source of warmth and sustenance for many animals. They play a major role in providing oxygen. Their demonstrably positive influence has also been found in the area of human psychology, which is why we feel so pleasant in the forest. Let's appreciate conifers and trees in general – without them, there would be no life. Plant a few trees in your garden and taste their beneficial effect on the human mind.