Spruce trees come in many shapes and sizes; there are approximately 35 species of these evergreen trees that are coniferous. Spruces are well-loved as strong statements in the landscape. They can function as a wall of wind protection or as a Christmas lawn tree or as a winter interest tree all equally. Spruces often perform a job of offering protection to birds and the tips of most spruce are edible to humans and wildlife alike. It is rumored that Captain Cook made alcoholic sugar-based spruce beer, which contained a considerable amount of Vitamin C to prevent scurvy in his crew.
While they are definitely a part of the pine tree family, the needles on a spruce are typically four-sided and attached to peg-like pieces to the branches. Needles are shed somewhere between 4 and 10 years old and leave the pegs on the branches. Their cones are downward hanging and attractive. The average spruce tree can live between 40 to 200 years depending upon the siting, but the Norway Spruce can live for thousands of years.
Below are three spruce tree varieties to consider; Black Spruce, Norway Spruce, and White Spruce.
- Black Spruce (Picea mariana)
Also known as: Bog Spruce, Swamp Spruce
Plant Description: Black Spruce is often confused with White Spruce because they are both large, pyramidal, hardy conifers that are common within the taiga or boreal forests in their native ranges. Black Spruce are considered somewhat shorter and scruffier than other pines with drooping branches and upturned tips. Needles are between 1/4” and 1/2” long and blue-green in color. Bark is scaly and gray-brown. The cones, which are egg-shaped and a dark purple to red-brown, are the smallest of all the spruces. Very tolerant of wet sites.
Plant Type: Needled evergreen tree
Sun/Shade: Full sun to Part sun
Cultivation: Grow in moist soils that are well-drained; prefers cool summer and cold climates. Although the tree will tolerate light shade, full sun is preferred. No need to prune this tree. Intolerant of urban pollution, salt spray, drought, and high heat. Deer do not bother this tree typically.
Height: 20 to 50 feet (6.09 to 15.24 meters)
Width: 20 to 30 feet (6.09 to 3.04 meters)
Bloom: N/A
Bloom Time: N/A
Origin: Canada, Northern United States
Zones: zone 3, zone 4, zone 5, zone 6
Wildlife: Birds, small mammals
Landscape Uses: Bonsai tree, park tree, specimen tree, shade garden, windbreak, winter garden
Special Features: Black spruce has a trans-continental range and is known as a “pioneer” that will invade sphagnum matt in filled-lake bogs. Originally known to stretch from Alaska through the boreal forest of Canada to Newfoundland then crossing through the Northern United States primarily in upland areas and water margins. Boreal forests are sometimes known as a snow forest, consisting mainly of pines, spruces, and larches, making the Black Spruce an incredibly cold hardy species.
- Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Also known as: Baltic whitewood, Burgundy pitch tree, Common spruce, Spruce fir, White deal, European spruce
Plant Description: A large pyramidal evergreen conifer which grows quickly and performs well in cool summer climates. Branches are slightly upturned and have a spiral growth with deep green needles. In its native habitat it can grow up to 200 feet tall, but in North America it is most likely to top off at 60 feet. Pendulous seed-bearing cones can grow to 9” long. Special note – Invasive tree in the Northern United States. Long lived, it is estimated that the oldest Norway spruce is over 5,000 years old.
Plant Type: Needled evergreen tree
Sun/Shade: Full sun
Cultivation: Grows best in acidic soils that are evenly moist and well-drained. Can perform in sandy soils, however, will not do well in exceedingly dry or deficient soils. Grows very poorly in hot summer conditions. Tolerant of urban and air pollution. Tolerant of deer.
Height: 40 to 60 feet (12.19 to 18.28 meters)
Width: 25 to 30 feet (7.62 to 9.14 meters)
Bloom: N/A
Bloom Time: N/A
Origin: Europe
Zones: Zone 2, zone 3, zone 4, zone 5, zone 6, zone 7
Wildlife: Birds and small mammals
Landscape Uses: Winter interest garden, windbreak, screen, large lawns, parks, or naturalized woodland areas, dwarf cultivars are effective for foundation plantings and rock gardens, ornamental edible gardens
Special Features: There are more than 150 cultivars, many of which are difficult to distinguish. Dwarf cultivars stay tidier than the larger varieties. Utilized as a Christmas tree around the world. Planted in Indiana on surface mine spoils as a quick growing easily adaptive tree from 1928 until the 1960s. The Norway spruce has a high vitamin C content and can be consumed as a tea developed from the shoot tips in early spring, therefore the tree is considered an ornamental edible.
- White Spruce (Picea glauca)
Also known as: Canadian spruce, Skunk spruce, Cat spruce, Black Hills spruce, Western white spruce, Alberta white spruce, Porsild spruce
Plant Description: White Spruce is a large, pyramidal, hardy conifer. The trees are very slow growing, with a consistent life-span of 250 to 300 years. Needles are between a ½” and 1” long and blue-green in color. Bark is scaly and gray-brown.
Plant Type: Needled evergreen tree
Sun/Shade: Full sun to Part sun
Cultivation: Grow in moist soils that are well-drained. Although the tree will tolerate light shade, full sun is preferred. Likes cold winter climates. Tolerant of acid, alkaline, and clay soil. Intolerant of urban pollution, salt spray, drought, and high heat. Deer do not bother this tree typically.
Height: 40 to 60 feet (12.1 to 18.2 meters)
Width: 10 to 20 feet (3.04 to 6.09 meters)
Bloom: N/A
Bloom Time: N/A
Origin: Canada, Northern United States
Zones: Zone 2, zone 3, zone 4, zone 5, zone 6
Wildlife: Birds, small mammals
Landscape Uses: Bonsai tree, park tree, specimen tree, shade garden, windbreak, winter garden
Special Features: White spruce has a trans-continental range. Originally known to stretch from Alaska through the boreal forest of Canada to Newfoundland then crossing through the Northern United States primarily in upland areas and water margins. Boreal forests are sometimes known as a snow forest, consisting mainly of pines, spruces, and larches, making the White Spruce an incredibly cold hardy species.
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