conifer identification and propegation

I have several questions, but they all have to do with this photo.
I can identify a fairly large number of trees, but they are all deciduous. When it comes to conifers I can say--well it's a conifer! Apart from junipers, they are all pines to me.
So first question,
A good resource for identifying conifers? I googled and got a bunch of crafts for pinecones, and not much on what's the name of the tree this pine cone came from?

Second question,
Do you know this one pictured?

Third question,
We've been dabling in trees from seed--but not conifers. I picked this up on my way to the classroom this morning and by the end of my two-hour lesson, it had dropped most of its seed on my desk--I collected them of course! But now what.
What's the best way to germinate them--I mostly work with stone fruit trees and these seeds are tiny!

I'll stop there as that's plenty of information to get me started.

Melissa Ferrin wrote:
A good resource for identifying conifers?

The Gymnosperm Database is a good place to start: https://www.conifers.org/

General rules. Spruce have sharp needles, firs do not.  Learn to differentiate spruce, fir and pine, all of which have different types of needles.  Within the pine family, try focusing on number of needles.