Pines on Dry Soil

• The true pines come from the genus Pinus which includes over 100 different species. These trees have long needles that come in small bunches, a solitary trunk and male and female cones on the same tree. With only a few exceptions, most of the pines are at least somewhat drought resistant and prefer sandy soil. Pines are often planted as solitary trees, but you can plant them in a row to form a windbreak, since they hold their needles throughout the year.
  
  

Cypress are Moisture Tolerant

• The cypress family includes many different genera of these common conifers, all of which have scale-like leaves that can persist for several years before new growth replaces them. Many species in the cypress family are slow-growing trees that prefer a moist soil. As the tree grows over the years, it can take on a very unique natural shape. For this reason cypress is a good tree to plant where the heavy spiral shape and a splash of year-round dark green will accent your house and yard.
  
  

Tree Height Is Important

• When choosing a pine or cypress one characteristic that needs special attention is the tree height. As a good rule of thumb, pines tend to be tall trees that can live for over 100 years and reach heights of over 100 feet. However, each species of pine has its own maximum height and length of maturity, so check these details before selecting your tree, especially if you are planting a cultivated variety. On the other hand a cypress (excluding the bald cypress) will grow slower and at full maturity will have a lesser overall height. Lifespan of these types of trees are similar to pines, but again it is best to check these details beforehand.
  
  

Hedgerows and Windbreaks

• Any type of evergreen conifer is a good selection for a windbreak or hedgerow but again you will need to study the exposure and soil conditions before making your final selection. With this task, you will probably want to use the slower-growing and bushier cypress in a hedgerow and perhaps a faster growing pine for a windbreak.
  
  

The Fall Colors of Bald Cypress

• The bald cypress is a deciduous conifer, whose needles turn a burnt-red color in the fall. This is a biological peculiarity that might be of some use to the home landscaper who wishes to add some fall color to his yard. When planted as an ornamental, the bald cypress can tolerate moderately well-drained soils and will not form "knees" unless planted in swamp-like conditions. It is natural competition (or lack of it) that causes the tree to grow so well in wet locations.
  
  

Tree Sculpture

• Some cypress trees are highly prized for their slow growth and their ability to be sculpted and trained to grow into certain shapes. In Japan this highly prized art is called bonsai and it is also popular in the U.S., where conditions permit. One of the easiest cypresses to grow as a garden plant is the Hinoki cypress, which often takes on an unusual shape but still is difficult to use in a bonsai garden. For bonsai, gardeners often use Lawson cypress, Nootka cypress or Sawara cypresses.