Conifers are trees or shrubs that have a monopodical growth form (a single, straight trunk with side branches) and often with apical dominance. All living conifers are woody plant and most are trees. Many conifers have distinctly scented resin, secreted to protect the tree against insect infestation and fungal infection of wounds. The size of mature conifers ranges from under one metre to over 100 metres.
They are mainly found in forests in the cold climates of the high latitudes and at high altitudes on mountains in middle and even tropical latitudes. The majority of conifers are perennial, but some do have deciduous leaves.
Thanks to this great adaptability, they easily acclimatise to a region and they can therefore be used in a large variety of zones, whether Mediterranean or with a more continental climate.
