stone said: Pretty....
Something from the juniper group...
Leftwood said: It looks much more like a False cypress (Chamaecyparis type). But obviously not a dwarf type that are much more common.
Juniper cones remain solid.
http://www.pinetum.org/cones/J...
False cypress cones are solid, but will pop open when ripe.
http://www.pinetum.org/cones/C...
Leftwood said: Right. I'm afraid that's about all I can say to help you in your quest. Most of the members of the Cypress family don't grow in cold Minnesota, so I am not that familiar with them. But to clarify, technically junipers are also in the cypress family (Cupressaceae), as are true cypress and false cypress. This is why characteristics like the bark can be similar (because the are!).
Leftwood said: Funny, when I looked at the trunk bark, Bald cypress also came to mind. But none of the other characteristics fit.
I am wondering if there is somewhere around here that I could take a branch to get a positive id on it.