There is not much diversity in the taiga, because many plants cannot survive such harsh conditions.

Lichens and mosses are important, but most of the plants are evergreen trees. There are many types of coniferous trees such as pine, spruce, hemlock, and fur.

The trees are narrow and grow very close together. This is so they can help protect each other from the weather. That snow and wind can be really cold!

Did you know that coniferous trees are usually shaped like a cone? This is for their protection. Being shaped like a cone helps the tree limbs not break under the weight of all that snow. The snow falls right off those waxy needles!

To learn more about why trees have different shapes, click here.

To learn more about deciduous and coniferous trees, click here.


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