White Spruce.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Coniferous evergreen tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

60 to 100 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 2 to 6

Bloom time

Late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot that receives full sun and has well draining soil. Keep an eye out for needle drop or yellowing, which can indicate moisture stress or pests. It is quite self sufficient once established in the landscape.

Watering

Water deeply during dry spells to keep the root zone consistently moist.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring before new growth begins.

Pruning

Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches during the dormant winter season.

Repotting

If kept in a container, move to a larger pot every few years as the root system expands.

Soil

Moist, well drained, acidic soil

Soil pH

5.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-45 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

This plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Children

The sharp needles pose a minor poking hazard to small children.

Contact allergens

Handling the needles may cause minor skin irritation due to their sharp tips.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can be a mild respiratory irritant for sensitive individuals during the spring.

Edibility

The needles are generally safe for tea, but avoid ingestion if you are unsure of the specific cultivar or if it has been treated with chemicals.

How to identify it

• Conical shape with dense branching
• Short, stiff, blue green needles
• Light brown, papery, cylindrical cones
• Fragrant needles when crushed
• Scaly, grayish brown bark

Height

12 to 24m

Spread

3 to 6m

Leaves

blue-green, green, evergreen

Flowers

red, yellow, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Needle BlightCommon
• Spruce BudwormCommon
• Bark BeetlesUncommon
• CankerUncommon
• ChlorosisUncommon
• Late Frost DamageUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Spider MitesRare

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant in groups to create a natural windbreak that protects smaller shrubs from harsh winter gusts.

Grows well with

• Paper Birch · They naturally occur together in northern forests and provide a beautiful color contrast.
• Quaking Aspen · These trees share similar environmental needs and create a classic boreal landscape.

Similar species

• Black Spruce · It is a closely related species that prefers wetter, boggy soils.
• Colorado Blue Spruce · It has a similar conical shape but features more intense blue foliage.

Science

Family

Pinaceae

Genus

Picea

Order

Pinales

Class

Pinopsida

Native range

Northern North America, from Alaska to the Atlantic coast.

Conservation

This species is widespread and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in diverse soil types and is a pioneer species that often colonizes burnt or disturbed forest areas.

Value to wildlife

nesting site, winter shelter, seed source

Pollinators

bees

Uses

ornamental specimen, windbreak, timber, reforestation

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How fast does it grow?

It is a slow to moderate grower, typically adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year.

Does it need pruning?

Little pruning is required, but you can remove dead or damaged branches in late winter.

Where the name comes from

The name Picea is derived from the Latin word for pitch, while glauca refers to the blue-green, glaucous color of the needles.

Good to know

• It is often called the skunk spruce because crushed needles emit a pungent odor.
• White spruce can live for over 200 years in ideal conditions.
• It is highly tolerant of cold climates and poor soil conditions.