Spruce tree diagram are species of evergreen plant coniferous tree that have sharp acerate leaf leave . Apart from tall spruce trees that grow in coniferous forests , many midget spruces and spruce shrubs are desirable for garden landscape .

There are 35 metal money of spruce tree diagram belonging to the genusPicea . These evergreen trees are related to other cone-bearing trees , such as pine , cedar , fir , andhemlock trees .

Common types of spruce trees : The most well - known spruce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is the Norwegian spruce , which is apopular Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Other common spruce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for garden are the Alberta spruce , whitened spruce , and Engelmann ’s Spruce . The Bird ’s Nest Spruce is a dwarf , low - growing landscaping shrub for front or backyards .

Spruce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are some of thetallest conifersthat grow inevergreen wood . For example , the Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis ) can strain the giddy heights of more than 330 ft . ( 100 m ) tall . For your garden — large or small — midget spruce treesandlow shrubsare nonesuch for spring up as specimen trees or as anevergreen hedge .

In their native home ground — the cold-blooded and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere — spruce last for over 200 twelvemonth . If you implant spruce bush or nanus spruce tree diagram in your backyard , you could expect them to rise for up to 60 years .

loosely , most spruce tree have a tedious growth habit and average out between 6 ” and 11 ” ( 15 – 29 cm ) per year . Other species of spruce — notably the Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) and Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis ) arise at a much faster pace . Some of these dapper species grow around 3 foot . ( 1 m ) per year .

All species of cone-bearing trees are in thesoftwood tree categorization . Spruce trees produce a comparatively diffuse type of wood , standardised to cushy pine tree . However , compared to pine tree timber , slick up wood is a gamy quality and more durable than most pine Natalie Wood .

In this article , you will learn about the most popular type of spruce trees . Along with description , pictures of spruce and their scientific epithet will avail you distinguish the most mutual spruce tree .

Spruce Tree Identification

Picture of spruce needles . Spruce needles raise singularly on the branch ( unlike pine needles which acquire in clusters ) and are rotund ( unlike fir needles which are monotonic )

Spruce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can be key out by their needles which have four position . Each acerate leaf is individually seize to the arm and can be rolled easily between your finger . Another elbow room to key out spruce Tree is by their cones that are covered with smooth thin scales . It is quite leisurely to bend the cones of spruce trees . Spruce trees have shaggy branch that point up .

Spruce Trees Vs. Pine Trees Vs. Fir Trees

Unlikefir treeneedles , which are flat , Spruce acerate leaf are square and roll easily . Spruce needles are forgetful and stiff , whereaspine treeshave needles that are long and subdued .

Pine needles originate on branches in small bunches from two to seven . However spruce Tree have item-by-item needle growing on the subdivision .

you could also tell spruce tree diagram apart from pine tree diagram by looking at their form . Spruce tree branch tend to have an up growth with full , shaggy-coated phonograph needle foliation . On the other hand , pine tree diagram branches have a downward emergence habit and less dense foliage .

Cedar Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and Douglas firs are soft to touch , unlike jaggy , sharp spruce needle - foliage .

Related : Ultimate Conifer Identification Guide : Pine , Fir , and Spruce with Pictures , Charts , and Names

Types of Spruce Trees (With Pictures and Names)

rent ’s look in more detail at how to identify the many types of majestic spruce tree .

Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

The Norway spruce is a fast turn cold fearless evergreen plant tree diagram

Also called the European spruce , the Norway spruce tree is a fast - growingevergreen treethat grows in many cone-bearing forests . The wood from Norway spruce is high timber and splendid for timber , pulp , and producing musical musical instrument . The thick foliation of these spruce trees makes them idealistic forliving privateness screens , windbreak , or hedges .

Spruce tree identification

you’re able to name Norway spruce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree by its pyramidal shape and up spring up branches . The short immature needle leaves have plainspoken peak . Its seed cones are long and oblong - regulate . Norway spruces grow to between 115 and 180 foot . ( 35 – 55 megabyte ) tall . However , dwarf and crying spruce cultivar only give a few invertebrate foot .

White Spruce (Picea glauca)

whitened spruce is extensively used in the timberland industry

White spruce trees are native to North America and flourish in the immobilize conditions of Alaskan and Canadian winters . Also call the Alberta White spruce , this cone-bearing specie is an essential part of the timber diligence , and its forest is used extensively in building . ThePicea glaucavar.albertiana‘Conica ’ is a dwarf variety of this olympian spruce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .

you’re able to distinguish white spruce trees by their scaly white bark , narrow-minded cylindric crown , and tenacious needle - like parting . compare to the Norway spruce , the cone of this species are lithe , but not as long .   White spruce trees grow to about 100 ft . ( 30 m ) grandiloquent .

Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)

The blue spruce ( left ) makes a unequalled Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree due to its downhearted - green - gray colored needles . On the right : cry Colorado spruce up ‘ The Blues ’ is a dwarf evergreen cold intrepid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree

The blue spruce coniferous tree is the res publica tree of Colorado , and it thrives in USDA zones 1 to 7 . This metal money of spruce grows extensively throughout North America . Colorado blue spruce trees are prized for their ornamental value and pyramidical anatomy . When face at pictures of this spruce , it ’s easy to see how it come its name — its foliage has a distinct grim speck to it .

If you ’re looking for a weeping spruce tree for pocket-sized to large gardens , the weeping Colorado slick up cultivar ‘ The Blues ’ is an first-class choice .

Identification of the Colorado gamy spruce is by its waxy bluish - green needle - like leave-taking . The botanic name—“pungens”—means “ crisply place , ” which refer to the short spiky needles . Colorado patrician spruces grow up to 75 ft . ( 23 m ) in forests and up to 50 ft . ( 15 m ) in garden landscapes .

Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika)

forget image : Serbian spruce . Right mental image : Weeping Serbian sprucePicea omorika‘Pendula ’

The Serbian spruce grows well in many conditions and can survive some drouth andshade . The marvellous , slender nature of this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree makes it democratic as a specimen tree in all-encompassing gardens or ballpark . equate to grandiloquent spruce such as the Norway and Sitka spruce , the Serbian species only strain medium height .

For your garden landscape , look for the nanus treePicea omorika‘Nana ’ or the weeping spruce , Picea omorika‘Pendula . ’

It is gentle to identify Serbian spruce trees by itscolumnar development use . The intermediate - sized tree diagram acquire to around 65 ft . ( 20 m ) tall and has a pencil - corresponding shape . Small , grim - green phonograph needle leaves create succulent - looking foliage along with short , arbor - shaped cone shape .

Black Spruce (Picea mariana)

smutty spruce is a slow - growing , small evergreen cone-bearing tree diagram

The sinister spruce is a small coniferous tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the familyPinacaeathat sometimes grows like a bush . This easy - grow spruce is not of any importance in the timber industry as its forest is soft and of poor timbre . The spruce tree commonly grows in dampish , sloppy areas in Canada , Alaska , and the upper Northeast of the US .

An identify feature of the black spruce is its small , stumpy purple retinal cone . Its acerate leaf folio are square are about half an column inch ( 1.5 curium ) long . As a small conifer , this coinage farm to between 15 and 50 ft . ( 5 – 15 m ) tall . A grey - brown , sparse scaly barque covers the automobile trunk .

Engelmann’s Spruce (Picea engelmannii)

Left picture : A young Engelmann ’s spruce . correct picture : A mature tree

Engelmann ’s Spruce tree is a species of spruce that bring its name from the phytologist George Engelmann . This supple , conical Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree grows at high altitudes on the northeast coast of North America . The dumb Ellen Price Wood from this tardily - growing evergreen plant coniferous tree is excellent for timber and create musical instruments . As an immature Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , its Pyramids of Egypt shape makes it ideal as a Christmas tree .

you could describe these medium - sized spruce trees by their cylindric , narrow shape . Engelmann spruces acquire to an average of 100 ft . ( 30 m ) grandiloquent . The foliage is glaucous blue - greenish phonograph needle , and pendulous small cone-shaped browned cones come along in the slow spruce increment . The phonograph needle leave of absence develop up to 1.1 ” ( 3 cm ) long .

Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)

Sitka Spruce ( Picea sitchensis ) is one of the tallest types of conifer trees

The Sitka spruce is the largest spruce tree among the other 35 specie in the genusPicea . This spruce species is also the fifth - largest metal money of conifer . The monumental evergreen plant has a prominent , broad crown and few ramification crushed than 100 ft . ( 30 m ) . These fast - growing conifers thrive in poor soil and are appreciate for their lumber .

Apart from their tremendous tallness , you could identify Sitka spruce Tree by their abrupt needle - similar leave-taking that are about 1 ” ( 2.5 atomic number 96 ) long . The foliation has a blue - immature appearance . Slender cones about 4 ” ( 10 centimetre ) long dangling from the branches also aid identify the spruce . The barque on the long , straightforward body is scaly and flakes off easy .

Red Spruce (Picea rubens)

Red spruce timber ( prospect from the top of the observation tower on Spruce Knob , West Virginia ) .

Also list the West Virginia spruce or the yellow spruce , this species grows in high elevation on the easterly coast of North America . The spruce has moderate increase and can experience for over 200 old age in its aboriginal habitat . The everlasting pyramid form of the little red spruce makes the conifer nonesuch as a Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Its sensationalistic wood is used in building and in make melodic instruments

Pictures of this spruce tree show thick leaf and small browned cones . The yellow - dark-green needles are curved and sharp . The identification of the West Virginia spruce is by its gray - brown barque that is red on the interior . The red spruce is a medium - sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , growing between 60 and 130 foot . ( 18 – 40 m ) tall .

Caucasian Spruce (Picea orientalis)

In these pictures : Caucasoid spruce trees ( leave ) , and small cultivars ‘ Barnes ’ ( nerve center ) and ‘ Nana ’ ( right )

The Oriental or Caucasian spruce is an cosmetic Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with attractive scant - green acerate leaf leave of absence . This slow - growing tree is a democratic tree used as lumber and in newspaper yield . Some cultivar , such as thePicea orientalis‘Aureospicata , ’ have stunning amber - colored foliage . To use the spruce in landscape garden , count for variety called ‘ Barnes ’ or ‘ Nana . ’

Caucasian spruce identification is by its inadequate needle — only measure 0.3 ” ( 8 mm ) long . The long lissom cones tot up red and purple color to the emerald - green foliage in the spring . The species of Caucasic spruce grows to between 100 and 145 ft . ( 30 – 45 MiB ) tall .

Types of Spruce Shrubs and Dwarf Spruces

Many specie of spruce trees are massive , marvelous tree that are generally not suited for set in backyards or landscape garden .

If you require to enhance the beauty of your property with evergreen coniferous tree , choose a dwarf spruce tree or shrubby spruce . Some little spruce tree have a bush - like coming into court that you’re able to prune to check their summit .

lease ’s appear at some excellent small spruce specimens .

Bird’s Nest Spruce (Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’)

The birds nest spruce is a slow grower shrub with round bod and flavourless top

The bird ’s nest spruce is a small bush that is suitable for produce in containers or little gardens . As its scientific name suggests , this is a Norway spruce cultivar . However , it does n’t grow into a tree diagram but stays as a small Dubya . It is only a fraction of the size of it of its larger cousin . Its common name come up from the rounded , shaggy growth that has an indentation in the in-between — just like a bird ’s nest .

Plant in rock garden , as a specimen plant or short evergreen plant hedge .

Its round shape and flat top identify this low - growing spruce bush . The shrubby bush has stark acerate leaf that raise to around an column inch ( 2.5 atomic number 96 ) long . The bush only grows to between 2 and 4 ft . ( 0.6 – 1.2 m ) grandiloquent — and that is after many years .

Weeping Norway Spruce (Picea abies‘Pendula’)

The weeping Norway spruce is an evergreen short tree desirable for cold areas

The weeping Norway spruce is an elegant spruce tree diagram with drooping branches . Its branches are pendulous and acquit extremely long cones — up to 9 ” ( 22 cm ) long . The chief stem turn needs support , and then the branches will swing down until they finally accomplish the ground . you could also grow this species of spruce as aplant for groundcover in full sunshine .

nodding branches and spiky green leafage identify thisspecies of weeping tree . With the right care , the cry Norway spruce can grow to between 10 and 15 ft . ( 3 – 4.5 m ) tall .

Dwarf Norway Spruce (Picea abies‘Pumila’)

Dwarf Norway spruce is a great choice for smaller garden landscape

The dwarf Norway smarten up ‘ Pumila ’ is more of a low - growing bush than asmall evergreen tree . The dense foliage creates a stunning evergreen bush with a flat top . These slow - growing specimen plants are excellent for cheery borders , and they grow in most soil . This spruce ’s most attractive features are its thick outgrowth and brilliant - immature foliage .

The midget Norway shrub has foliage like to the Norway spruce . This miniature cultivar only grows a maximum of 4 ft . ( 1.2 m ) . However , because its growing rate is about 5 ” ( 12 curium ) per yr , it will take a few years to reach maturity .

Dwarf Norway Spruce (Picea abies‘Conica’)

take gnome Norway spruce ‘ Conica ’ for compact spaces

One of the most pop dwarf conifers is the dwarf Norway spruce ‘ Conica . ’ The pyramidal - shaped Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has luscious green foliage made up of greenish needle . The unsloped tree growth , shaggy foliage , and conical figure make the dwarf Norway spruce excellent as a put off works , specimen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , orfoundation planting .

Dwarf Norway spruce can be identified by its densely packed , promising light-green leafage and conical shape . The lilliputian spruce tree diagram is slow - spring up type of spruce .

Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca‘Conica’)

The nanus Alberta spruce ( also call dwarf livid spruce ) is an evergreen plant conifer tree diagram that is slow growing . It pass on 10 - 12 foot . ( 3 - 4 m ) and has conical build with time . The foliage is dense with green needles and look bully as aprivacy tree , circumvent plant or specimen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . It is very hardy evergreen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that grows well in areas with cold winters with nerveless summers .

The gnome Alberta spruce has green needle , 3/4″ ( 7.5 cm ) length , with sharp tips . The acerate leaf produce redolent scent when crushed . The cone shape are seldom produce . They are cylindrical pale brownness and are 2.5″ ( 6 centimeter ) long with flexible scales .

White Spruce Shrub (Picea glauca‘Echiniformis’)

The dwarf white spruce is a low growing bush with slow growth charge per unit

This blanched spruce cultivar is a slow - growing shrub that wo n’t produce in high spirits than 1.5 foot . ( 0.5 m ) in 10 years . The President George W. Bush has a rounded growth habit that is form by short spiky branches . This dwarf spruce is a perfect choice of evergreen plant if you are looking for a container shrub , margin plant , or rock garden evergreen . farm in full sunshine , and the plant thrive in USDA zone 2 to 7 .

Short , slender ash grey - green acerate leaf identify this low - maturate shrub . Its increase rate is only 1 ” ( 2.5 centimetre ) per year . This spruce shrub is easily placeable by its ellipse , cushion - like shape and heavyset nature .

Dwarf Blue Spruce (Picea pungens‘Globosa’)

The dwarf blue spruce has decorative silvery - blue foliage that impart decorative chemical element to any garden

The most common gnome Colorado dreary spruce cultivar is the ‘ Globosa . ’ Its silvery - blue foliation do this minuscule shrub - like Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree fend out in any garden landscape painting . Like most coinage of nanus or shrub spruce , this is a grim - alimony flora that requires fiddling aid . The spruce shrub is moth-eaten hardy to -40 ° F ( -40 ° C ) and enjoys full sun .

The vulgar blue - gray needles and scrubby growth help name the gnome spicy spruce . After ten years , it strain a maximum of between 3 and 6 ft . ( 1 – 2 m ) .

Montgomery Colorado Blue Spruce Shrub (Picea pungens’ Montgomery’)

Montgomery Colorado Blue Spruce bush has compact growth and beautiful silvern - greyish foliage

The ‘ Montgomery ’ cultivar is another pop spruce bush that is a fraction of the sizing of its gravid cousin — the Colorado amobarbital sodium spruce . This gnome shrub is value for its pyramidal , mounding shape with thick , summary branches . Like all metal money of blue spruce , this specimen has blue - gray foliage that stands out in any front or backyard . Although standardised to the ‘ Globosa , ’ the ‘ Montgomery ’ midget has a conic , rather than rounded shape .

you could identify this spruce by its silvery - hoary foliage on this small pyramid - mold nanus tree . At due date , the small shrub - like spruce tree will be 4.5 foot . ( 1.5 m ) and up to 3 foot . ( 1 m ) full at its base . The maximum yearly growth pace is up to 6 ” ( 15 centimetre ) .

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