Fir Trees

evergreen · coniferous · mountains · worldwide

Always green. Fir trees keep their needles all year long, even in winter when other trees lose their leaves. This is why they're called evergreens.

Mountain climbers. Firs grow on mountains in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They love cool, high places where other trees struggle to survive.

Lots of species. There are between 48 and 65 different kinds of fir trees around the world. Some grow super tall and thick, while others stay smaller.

Cones point up. Unlike most cone-bearing trees, fir cones stand straight up on the branches like little decorations. When the cones mature, the scales fall off and leave behind a pointy spike.

Flat needles. Fir needles are flat and soft, not spiky like some other evergreens. They smell wonderful, which is why fir trees are popular for Christmas decorations.