Geometric Patchwork Tree

About this drawing

A patchwork Christmas tree plays with the triangle shape of conifers, and that shape is no accident. Pines, firs, and spruces are among the best-adapted plants for cold climates. Their needle leaves are coated in wax, which reduces water loss during winter when the ground is frozen and roots can't draw up much moisture.

The cone-like outline helps as well. Sloping branches let heavy snow slide off before it can snap them. That explains why conifers dominate the boreal forest, a huge belt of trees that stretches across Canada, Alaska, Russia, and Scandinavia. Their cones protect the seeds, and squirrels and birds depend on them for winter meals.

American Christmas trees rarely come from wild forests. They grow on farms in states such as Oregon and North Carolina, and a typical tree needs several years to reach full height. Fraser fir, native to the southern Appalachians, is a top seller because it holds its needles and has a pleasant scent. Douglas fir, despite the name, isn't a true fir at all. Real trees can be recycled after the holidays, and plenty of towns chip them into mulch or use them to build fish habitat. A wild tree may only be cut with a permit, which the US Forest Service sells in many national forests.

• christmas tree
• patchwork
• geometry
• conifers