Spruce Trees

Spruce trees

The spruce (Picea) is an evergreen with short, blue-green, waxy leaves called needles. The waxy coating on the needles helps evergreen trees conserve water during the very cold winters where they live, when soil water is frozen and not available for the trees to use.

Are spruce trees fast growing?

Growth Rate This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year.

What is the difference between a spruce tree and a pine tree?

This is an easy tip to remember: on pine trees, needles are attached and attached to the branches in clusters; on spruce trees, needles are attached individually. A longleaf pine – which you can tell is a pine because its needles are attached in bundles.

Where do spruce trees grow best?

Native to cool climates and dry air, spruce often languishes in hot, humid climates. Choose a planting site that has full sun exposure and rich, moist, well-drained soil. Spruce tolerates short periods of drought after it is established.

What are the disadvantages of spruce?

All varieties of spruce trees are susceptible to and prone to insect infestations. Spider mites (Oligonychus ununguis) suck sap from the needles, causes yellowing and tree decline. Pine needle scale (Chioaspis pinifoliae) is another insect that migrates to spruce trees, causing discolored foliage and needle drop.

Are spruce trees good in the yard?

Norway Spruce (Picea abies) Most forms are hardy in zone 3 and they will grow all the way through zone 7, and even in zone 8 in the north-west, so they are a good choice for most gardens. This tree is not particularly drought resistant, and it's not a good choice if you have dry soil and hot, dry summers.

What is the lifespan of a spruce?

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.

Are spruce trees low maintenance?

Spruce trees typically require very little pruning and naturally grow upright and in a pyramidal shape. They are known for straight trunks and horizontal branches, which makes them a visually appealing addition or focal point within a landscape.

Can spruce trees survive winter?

Even though evergreens can survive through the winter months, cold temperatures, high winds and a winter sun can dry out evergreen foliage, damage bark and, if severe enough, even injure or kill branches and roots. Protecting your evergreens during the winter can mitigate the damage and make for a prosperous spring.

What is better wood spruce or pine?

Difference between Spruce and Pine Lumber The basic difference between the two is that Spruce is straighter, with less likelihood of twisting and warping. The color of Spruce is white, and it is even and is more consistent than Pine while also possessing a better weight ratio and strength.

Is spruce used as Christmas tree?

The evergreen Spruce trees create a striking image with their hues and sturdy needles. There are around 35 different types of Christmas trees in the Spruce family alone! We shall concern ourselves only with the three main types right now – Blue Spruce, White Spruce and Norway Spruce.

Are spruce trees messy?

Is the white spruce tree messy? The white spruce is one of the least messy trees that you will ever grow. Since it is an evergreen, it keeps its needles in the winter. But even evergreens shed their needles eventually — most trees lose needles every two to four years.

Do spruce trees stay green all year?

Evergreens are green year-round—they never lose all their leaves at one time. Most evergreens—such as pine, fir, spruce, juniper, and cedar—are cone-bearing conifer trees with needles that stay on the tree for several years, only falling off because of old age, to be quickly replenished.

How long does it take for spruce trees to mature?

Lifespan: Norway spruce can live for up to 300-400 years, although if grown in a pot, its lifespan is usually shorter, a maximum of 100 years. It takes from 50 to 80 years for the tree to reach its mature state.

Do spruce trees like sun or shade?

Spruce trees can range from 5 feet tall for dwarf trees to heights of 60 feet or taller for larger trees. These trees are usually grown as Christmas Trees, especially the Blue Spruce and Norway Spruce varieties. They require full to partial sun in order to thrive.

Is spruce poisonous?

No species of spruce is poisonous though, so what you can do is just go around to different trees and taste them until you find one that tastes good.

Do spruce trees damage foundations?

Tree roots themselves don't actually damage a foundation. It's the contraction from drought which can pull away supporting soil from around or beneath a foundation. This leaves room for the foundation to settle unevenly, which can cause cracks.

What is spruce wood best used for?

What is spruce wood used for? Spruce wood is used both as a construction material and to generate energy. It is commercially available in round logs, as veneer and in the form of glued structural elements. Due to its good workability and high availability, it is the most widely used construction timber in Europe.

How far should a spruce tree be planted from a house?

I would plant this particular tree species at least 20-25' away from your house as it is my experience that most homeowners and landscapers tend to plant trees way too close to structures. Keep some distance!

Do spruce trees drink a lot of water?

"A 10-foot-tall spruce tree may have 128 square feet of leaf area and roots that spread through 1200 cubic feet of soil. A clay-loam soil could hold 628 gallons of water in that space. During the summer, when the relative humidity can drop to 20 percent, that spruce tree can use 20-30 gallons of water a day.