The genus Picea - the Spruces

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Picea Abies, Karsten (P. excelsa Link.)
Common Spruce, Norway Spruce

Native of parts of Central and Northern Europe, growing to 120 feet. Not native in this country, but was introduced before 1548. Provides much of the “white deal” of commerce. Occasionally used as an ornamental tree especially in poor soil, but an important forest tree for timber. This spruce is the traditional Christmas tree in this country. The leaves are normally arranged in two rows more or less horizontally on the branches.

(A)
Picea breweriana, Watson
Brewer's Weeping Spruce

A tree growing to 100 feet in its native state, in the Siskiyou Mountains of California and Oregon. Introduced into Britain in 1879. This, with A. venitsta, must be one of the rarest conifers in the wild state now in existence. Small groups occur at 7,000 feet in its native area. Brewer's Spruce may be recognised by its slender pendulous branches, its hairy shoots and its leaves convex on both sides. An elegant and hardy tree, but rather slow-growing.

(R)
Picea engelmanni, Engelmann
Engelmann's Spruce

Native along the whole range of the Rocky Mountains where it grows to a height of 100 feet, this spruce was introduced into this country in 1864. The species does well in cultivation and the glaucous variety is very popular. The branches which persist well down the trunk are pendulous and the foliage dark bluish- green. The tree is of little commercial value in this country, but is planted for protection and at high altitudes in Switzerland.

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Picea glauca, (Moench) Voss (P. alba Link.)
White Spruce

This species is widely distributed in Canada and the North United States from Labrador to Alaska. It grows to a height of 100 feet. Thought to have been introduced in this country in 1700 and first planted in Switzerland in 1759. It withstands cold better than the Common Spruce, but does not grow to so great a size. The foliage is bluish and has a disagreeable smell when braised. The timber is much used for the manufacture of wood-pulp.

(S)
Picea jezoënsis, Carrière var. hondoensis (Mayr) Rehder
Hondo Spruce

This tree which grows to a height of 100 feet is native to North- East Asia and Central Japan. It was introduced in 1860 into this country by Veitch. It is of no commercial value, but is decorative and reported to be more hardy than the type P. jezoë,nsis (Sieb. & Zucc.) Carr.

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Picea Mariana, (Miller) Britton el al. (P. nigra (Ait.) Link.)
Black Spruce

This tree grows extensively over much of Canada and reaches the northerly limit of tree growth there. Usually a small tree of lanky habit, it may attain 60 feet in height. It is used as a source of wood-pulp and has no value as a decorative tree.

(A)
Picea omorika, Bolle
Serbian Spruce

A native of South-East Europe, especially common along the river Dvina. Introduced into Kew in 1889, it succeeds there better than any other Spruce. It is valuable as an ornamental tree, having a narrow pyramidal habit with flattened leaves which are lustrous dark green below. It is very hardy and is often planted in frost hollows when other species fail.

(R)
Picea polita, Carrière
Tiger-tail Spruce

A tall tree in its native Japan it grows very slowly in cultivation in this country, forming a small tree with a very stiff habit of considerable beauty. It was introduced into this country by J. G. Veitch in 1861. The stiff lustrous green leaves bear a sharp point at their tips. Of all the Spruces, this species is the last to recommence growth in the spring.

(S)
Picea pungens, Engelmann
Colorado Spruce

Native to Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, where it grows to a height of 150 feet. Discovered in 1872, it was introduced into this country some years later. The glaucous forms of the species are those most usually grown for ornamental purposes in this country. The growth habit is narrow and pyramidal with beautiful bluish-green, or glaucous, foliage.

(P)
Picea sitchensis, Carrière
Sitka Spruce

A large tree growing to 200 feet in Western North America from Alaska to California. Introduced into this country by Douglas in 1831. Very hardy, it is usually planted for forestry purposes and has greatly extended the area of afforestation. It is a very suitable tree for moist habitats. The wood, strong and light, is one of the most valuable of the spruce timbers.

(R)
Picea smithiana, Boissier (P. moyinda Link.)
Western Himalayan Spruce

A large tree, native of the West Himalaya where it grows up to 200 feet in height. Introduced into Scotland in 1818 by a Dr. Govan who gave seeds to the Earl of Hopetoun whose gardener was called Smith. It has graceful pendulous branches bearing long lax leaves and is a most ornamental tree especially when young. It grows well in damp conditions, but is liable to damage by pests and late spring frosts.