Spruce Trees - Varieties

Spruce trees are evergreen coniferous trees that belong to the family Pinaceae and the genus Picea includes 35 species. These trees are spread over the northern temperate and the taiga regions of the planet. The leaves are narrow and needle shaped and remain green throughout the year. They are arranged spirally on the twig and are attached to it on peg like structures, each known as a pulvinus. These trees are popularly used for landscaping and come in varied types. They are also a preferred choice for Christmas tree. Here are some common spruce trees varieties.

Types of Spruce Trees

Black Spruce Trees
This is a slow growing spruce tree of average height. It grows about 35 feet tall and measures 10 feet in spread. Scientifically known as Picea mariana, this is a hardy evergreen tree that has a narrow growth habit. They can be found in poor growth conditions and in cold, poorly drained areas like swamps. These trees get their name from the short, stiff bluish green leaves or needles that are either arranged in all directions along the twig or mostly point upwards. Black spruce have straight trunk with little taper. They have a narrow pointed crown that is made of short branches with upturned tips.

Colorado Blue Spruce Trees
The Colorado Blue Spruce are tall trees that require a lot of space to grow. They grow up to a height of 90 to 135 feet with a branch spread as wide as 20 to 39 feet. Although, it is more drought resistant than other types of spruce trees, a moist rich soil is very important for its growth. However, in dry, hot weather, young Colorado Blue spruce trees need to be watered daily. These trees require full sunlight and are prone to the attack of the Spruce gall aphid, spider mite and the spruce budworm. This variety of spruce trees should be pruned during early spring. Due to their massive size, these trees can be used as windbreak, screen or fence. The Colorado blue spruce is the slowest growing types among the different spruce trees varieties. The scientific name of the tree is Picea pungens var. glauca.

Colorado Spruce Trees
A cousin of the blue spruce trees variety (the Colorado blue spruce), the Colorado spruce or Picea pungens grows up to 60 feet tall. It is a medium-sized tree and it attains a spread of 20 feet when mature. It has thin, stout needle like leaves that vary from dull gray-green to bright glaucous blue in color. A big drawback of the tree is its susceptibility to canker disease that disfigures it while it is still young. If it escapes the canker diseases then it becomes another attention catcher that grows in a hedge form.

Norway Spruce Trees
Norway Spruce or Picea abies is one of the fastest growing varieties of spruce trees. It usually grows 40 to 60 feet tall measuring up to 25 to 30 feet in its branch spread. It has dark green, short needle like leaves. These trees require partial shade to full sun and are found growing in moist, wet and dry soil types as well. They are mainly used as windbreak, screen or border. However, this plant is prone to a number of pests like spruce gall aphid, borers and budworms.

Serbian Spruce Trees
The Serbian spruce or Picea omorika is another elegant spruce tree variety which has a narrow pyramidal shape. It grows up to 55 feet tall with its gracefully arching branches giving the tree a width of 20 feet on maturity. It requires full sunlight and prefers moist, well drained soil. The needles are dark green in color on the dorsal side as compared to the whitish ventral surface. Due to its moderate size and nice pyramidal shape, it is a popular choice for landscaping small areas.

Sitka Spruce Trees
The Sitka spruce or Picea sitchensis is the largest among all the types of spruce trees. These trees commonly grow as tall as 125 to 180 feet in height. They bear light green to bluish green stiff, sharp needles that have four sides. These needles are spirally arranged along the twigs. These are low maintenance trees that require partial sunlight and shade and moist, well drained soil. The Sitka spruce is valued for timber and paper production.

White Spruce Trees
Botanists call this tree Picea glauca. It is a medium-sized evergreen tree that includes a large variety of spruce trees like Alberta White spruce, Black Hills spruce, Canadian spruce, Skunk spruce, Cat spruce, and Western White spruce. White spruce trees usually grow 50 feet tall and have a spread of about 20 feet. In younger trees the crown is conical in shape that becomes cylindrical as the tree matures. The needles are 12-22 mm in length and rhomboid in cross section. These trees are a good option to be used as hedges or borders.

The different spruce trees varieties are popular due their conical shape and evergreen foliage. This makes them perfect candidate for landscaping. Other than this, some species are good source of timber and paper. Oils from leaves and branches are used to make spruce beer as well.