What type of forest is dominated by cone-bearing trees such as pines, spruces, and firs?

A coniferous forest is a forest dominated by cone-bearing trees such as pines, spruces, and firs.

Conifers are mostly woody seed plants that produce seeds in cones rather than enclosed fruits. Many have narrow, waxy, or needle-like leaves that reduce water loss and can remain on the tree through winter. These adaptations help conifers survive cold climates, poor soils, or seasonal drought.

Coniferous forests occur across much of the Northern Hemisphere, including boreal regions of Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, and Russia. They also occur in mountains and in some temperate and subtropical areas. Not every coniferous forest has the same climate or species composition.

The term is sometimes confused with evergreen forest. Many conifers are evergreen, but some, such as larches, shed their needles seasonally. Conversely, some non-conifers are evergreen, so the terms are not exact synonyms.