Gymnosperms : 1 he Conifers 



509 



There are two distinct types of branches : those which increase 

 from year to year, the long branches, and those which grow only a 



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U.S. Forest Service 



Fig. 316. Branch of Douglas fir, showing ovulate cone and seeds. 



fraction of an inch, the dwarf branches. From the latter the 

 foliage leaves develop. A young growing stem of the pine is at 

 first clothed with spirally arranged brown scales. These fall 

 off as the stem elongates, and from the axil of each scale a spur 

 branch develops crowned by one or several needle leaves. 



The leaves of most conifers are needle-shaped, but in some 

 families the leaves are reduced to scales and in others they are 

 quite broad. The life history of the pine will be used to exemplify 

 that of the group. 



