Conifer trees covered in snow during winter in the Rocky Mountains.
Conifer trees are generally the most common trees at higher elevations. There are number of ways they are adapted to survive in the mountains. Continue reading
Majestic Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Tree line is an elevation in mountains above which trees simply do not grow. Here is a more detailed explanation of what it is in the Rocky Mountains. Continue reading
What kind of tree are these evergreen needles on? Photo via Flickr.
Evergreen needles grow on many types of trees in the Rocky Mountains. Here are two tests to help you quickly identify if the needles are from a pine, spruce or fir tree. Continue reading
Are those spruce trees? Fir trees? Photo via Flickr.
Spruce vs. Fir. That is one of the questions that lots of budding naturalists have a hard time figuring out. Here are two tricks to help you tell those trees apart. Continue reading
Tall lodgepole pine trees are conifers.
Evergreens and conifers are both types of trees, but they are not the same. Do you know what is the difference between these? Continue reading
Photo via Flickr.
Do you know how many different types of seed dispersal there are? Plants have a variety of strategies to achieve their goal of spreading their seeds. Continue reading
A Cottonwood catkin. Photo via Flickr.
Have you ever come across a catkin while exploring the Rocky Mountains? I bet you have, but you didn’t know what it was. Continue reading
How would you describe the shape of this leaf?
A basic knowledge of the common leaf shapes can help with tree and plant identification. Here are the common leaf shapes you may encounter in the Rocky Mountains. Continue reading
A basic knowledge of common leaf edges will greatly help with the identification of plants. Here are some of the common leaf edges you are likely to encounter. Continue reading
Leaf arrangement on plants and trees is an important sign to help identify the plant or tree. Here are the common forms of leaf arrangement you are likely to encounter. Continue reading