Many conifers can be identified by the number and arrangement of needles or scales:
| CLUSTERS | Needles are attached to the branch in groups.
- Clusters of 5, 1-5 inch long needles = white pines
- Clusters of 2-4, 1-18 inch long needles = yellow pines
- Brush like clusters of 20 or more, up to 2 inch long needles = larches (no Georgia natives)
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| SINGLE | Needles are attached to the twin signally.
- Single .5-1 inch long needles on sides of the branch = yews (no Georgia natives)
- Single up to 2 inch long needles all around the branch = spruces (no Georgia natives)
- Single up to 1 inch long needles on sides or all around the branch = hemlocks
- Single up to 3 inch long needles on top and sides of the branch = firs (no Georgia natives)
- Single up to 1 inch long needles on sides of the branch = redwoods and baldcypress
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| SCALE-LIKE | Needles are small and scale-like.
- Overlapping scale-like needles = sequoias, cedars, junipers and cypress
- Non-overlapping scale-like needles = junipers
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