810 White Spruce Plugs

The white spruce (Picea glauca) is a large, hardy evergreen conifer native to the northern temperate and boreal forests of North America. It is valued for its use as a specimen tree, a dense windbreak, and a commercial source of lumber and paper.

Key Characteristics

Appearance: The white spruce has a symmetrical, conical (pyramidal) shape when young, which becomes more a narrow, column-like shape as it matures. It has blue-green to green needles with a waxy coating that are four-sided, about ½–¾"" in length, and have a pungent ""skunky"" odor when crushed. Its cones are small (1–2.5 inches long), light brown, and hang from the branches.

Size and Growth: Mature trees typically reach 40–60 feet in height, but can grow taller, and spread 10–20 feet wide. It grows at a medium rate, generally 13-24 inches per year. The tree can be long-lived, with an average lifespan of 250 to 300 years.

Habitat and Range: It has a vast native range from Newfoundland to Alaska and the northern United States, growing best in cold climates with cool summers. It is a very adaptable species, tolerant of many soil conditions (from dry, polluted soils to wet, acidic soils) and a wide range of pH levels, as long as it is well-drained. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate some shade.