Three of the most common conifers that grow in North America are pine, fir, and spruce trees. Conifers are among the smallest, largest, and oldest living woody plants known in the world.

Pine trees like it high and dry Dr. Herrick Brown, a botanist who runs the University of South Carolina's herbarium, poses under a live oak on campus on March 12. Zoe Nicholson/Provided ...

The oldest tree species is the Great Basin bristlecone pine, with many trees dating back around 4,000 years. The oldest tree is named Methuselah and it dates back nearly 5,000 years.