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Colorado Spruce
Picea pungens
Family: Pine (Pinaceae)
Height: 40-60' (12-18 m)
Tree: pyramid shape, lower branches are the widest and often touch the ground
Needle: single needle, 1⁄2-1" (1-2.5 cm) long, very stiff, very sharp point on the end, square in cross section, bluish green to silver blue
Bark: grayish brown and flaky, becoming reddish brown and deeply furrowed with age
Cone: straw-colored, 2-4" (5-10 cm) long, in clusters or single, hanging down
Fruit: N/A
Fall Color: N/A
Origin/Age: non-native, was introduced to New York from the Rocky Mountains; 150-200 years (some can reach 600 years in some western states)
Habitat: variety of soils, does best in clay and moist soils
Range: throughout, planted in cities, parks, along roads and around homes
Stan’s Notes: A common Christmas tree and landscaping tree that is widely planted around homes and along city streets. Naturalized now throughout New York. A victim of the Spruce Budworm and needle fungus, so it’s not planted as much anymore. Very susceptible to cytospora canker, which invades stressed trees, causing loss of branches and eventual death. Will grow in a wide variety of soils, but prefers moist and well drained. Slow growing, some living up to 600 years in the West. Needles are very sharp and square in cross section. The species name pungens is Latin for “sharp-pointed.” Also known as Blue Spruce or Silver Spruce.
