abies lasiocarpa

Subalpine larch: the "coolest" tree in the Pacific NW

What is a tree that lives only in the coldest and harshest ecosystems at timberline in the northern Cascades?

Why do cones tend to grow near the tops of conifer trees?

As a rule-of-thumb, most seed cones (female cones) tend to grow in the upper portions of trees. Why is this?