Flat-needled Conifers

European Yew European Yew Dawn Redwood European Yew

What are they?

Although the species on this page are all conifers, they are not all closely related or even in the same family. However, all these species appear rather similar due to their leaves, which are not needle-like in the way that spruces or pines are, but which are flattened out and carried in pairs or alternately along the young stems. This groups includes some very familiar species such as European Yew, plus a few ornamentals which may be less well known.

Where are they found?

Yew trees are a familiar site in churchyards and cemeteries as well as in shelterbelts and woodland. The other are more likely to be found on the lawns of larger parks or estates.

Identification

Identification of this group is relatively straightforward. Note the overall size and shape of the tree, whether the branching is opposite or alternate and what the fruits/cones look like.



European Yew      Taxus baccata

Native in parts of the UK on chalk soils, but only an introduction in the UK. Widespread and common in churchyards, parks, shelterbelts and woodland and readily self-seeds. Can grow to great size and great age, usually not getting particularly tall (typically to around 20-25m) but spreading widely and developing massive, deeply ridged trunks. Leaves evergreen, dark green with light green undersides, carried densely on the tree. Male and female flowers are carried on separate trees, the female flowers resulting in green seeds contained with a fleshy 'aril' which turns bright red when ripe. Churchyards often contain the upright, cultivated form 'Fastigiata', which is often called Irish Yew.

European Yew European Yew European Yew European Yew
Habit
Irish Yew
Leaves upperside
Leaf underside
European Yew European Yew European Yew European Yew
Male flowers
Young fruit
Ripe fruit
Bark


Coast Redwood      Sequoia sempervirens

Introduced from western North America. Rare, but occasionally seen in parkland and on old estates. Eventually grows into an immense, evergreen, columnar tree to 40m or more in height with fibrous, red-brown bark. Leaves deep green with whitish lines beneath. Female cones small, 18-25mm across.

Coast Redwood Coast Redwood Coast Redwood Coast Redwood
Habit
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Coast Redwood Coast Redwood Coast Redwood Coast Redwood
Male flowers
Cone
Bark
Bark


Dawn Redwood      Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Introduced from China. Rare, but occasionally seen in parkland or cemeteries. A relatively fast-growing, deciduous, upright tree with fibrous, light brown bark. Leaves bright green without whitish lines beneath, carried in opposite pairs. Female cones long-stalked, small, 15-20mm across.

Dawn Redwood Dawn Redwood Dawn Redwood Dawn Redwood
Habit
Leaves
Leaves
Male flowers
Dawn Redwood Dawn Redwood Dawn Redwood
Cone
Winter twig
Bark


Bald Cypress      Taxodium distichum

(Swamp Cypress) Introduced from southern North America. Uncommon, but occasionally seen in parkland or cemeteries. Naturally grows in seasonally flooded land and so is often planted on damp ground near ponds and lakes. A deciduous, upright tree with fibrous, light brown bark. Leaves bright green without whitish lines beneath, carried in alternate pairs. Female cones short-stalked, small, 25-30mm across.

Bald Cypress Bald Cypress Bald Cypress Bald Cypress
Habit
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Bald Cypress Bald Cypress Bald Cypress Bald Cypress
Young cone
Winter bud
Winter twig
Bark