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Home > Spruce > Blue Spruce

Blue Spruce

The blue spruce is an extremely resilient species that can withstand massive temperature changes, air pollution, and draught. They belong to the pine family.

Blue Spruce

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Division Pinophyta
Class Pinopsida
Order Pinales
Family Pinaceae
Genus Picea
Scientific Name Picea pungens
Blue Spruce Tree
Colorado Blue Spruce

Quick Information

Other Names Colorado blue spruce, Colorado spruce, and green spruce, water spruce
Tree Type Evergreen conifer
Identification Height: Around 50-75 ft (15.24-22.8 m) sometimes as tall as 150 ft (45.7 m)

Needles: Bluish green pointed needles sizing around 1 in (3 cm)

Trunk Diameter: Around 5 ft (1.5 m)

Cones: Pale brown in color with an approximate length of 4 in (10.16 cm)

Bark: Scaly and grey

Branches: Yellowish-brown
Distribution/Range Southern and central Rocky Mountains including Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, Arizona, and Idaho
Habitat Humid canyon bottoms, steep mountain ranges of fir and spruce woods, mid-montane forests at elevations of 5,905-9,842 ft
Hardiness Zones 3-7
Growth Rate Slow
Lifespan 150-600 years
Growing Conditions Soil Requirements: Mineral and moisture enriched soil

Light Requirements: Balanced exposure to sun and shade
Diseases & Pests Diseases: Fungi-caused cankers or plant disease and needle casting ailments

Pests: Pineapple gall adelgid, nymphs, spruce budworm, pine needle scales, spruce beetles
Reproductive System Monoecious
Propagation By seeds
Seedling Development Germination happens during the spring season or early summer
Wildlife Value Provides food for grouse birds and finches while serves as an excellent spot for roosting, nesting and winter shelter
Cultivars Baby Blue
Baby Blue Eyes
Hoopsii
Glauca
Pendula
Koster
Glauca Globosa
Glauca Jean’s Dilly
Fat Albert
Some of these cultivars are known as dwarf blue spruce
Uses Medicinal Purpose:
Two Native American tribes, Keres and Navajo use an infusion of the blue spruce needles for curing colds, stomach problems, and rheumatic pains

Ceremonial Purpose:
The tribal people also use the twigs of the tree as a good luck charm to give people For Christmas decorations, this tree is also a common  choice for people
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern
Blue Spruce Seedling
Blue Spruce Bonsai

Interesting Facts

  • Blue spruce happens to be the state tree of two states, Colorado and Utah.
  • Its latin name ‘pungens’ means sharp and pointy, referring to the needle shape of the blue spruce.
  • Sometimes, these trees have a powdery and waxy layer that is responsible for the bluish tone of the needles. The color is susceptible to decaying due to pest attack.
  • Usually the tree grows around 12 inches in a year, but in an optimum condition it can grow up to 2 ft in a single year.
Dwarf Blue Spruce
Weeping Blue Spruce

References

  1. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/picea-pungens/
  2. http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/loch_spen/Introduction.htm
  3. https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/picpun/all.html
  4. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/blue-spruce/
  5. https://realchristmastrees.org/education/tree-varieties/colorado-blue-spruce/
  6. https://www.thespruce.com/colorado-blue-spruce-trees-2132082

Published on April 10th 2019 by Sahana Kanjilal under Spruce.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

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