White Spruce
ExploreTrees
White Spruce
Picea alba Link
The White Spruce is a tall tree with short, sharp needles and a nice, conical shape. It is often found in cold places.
Habitat: Cold forests and tundras
Appearance
The White Spruce has sharp, four-sided needles that are often bluish-green, especially on new growth. Its bark is thin, scaly, and grey-brown, giving it a somewhat rough appearance. It typically grows into a classic conical Christmas tree shape, making it easily recognizable.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyPinaceaeGenusPicea
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
4
Interesting facts
Crush its needles, and you might smell something surprisingly like cat pee!
Indigenous people historically used spruce roots for sewing canoes and baskets.
Many animals, like squirrels and birds, love to feast on its nutritious seeds.
You can brew a vitamin C-rich tea from its fresh needles, especially in winter!
Special abilities
Ability
Winter Warrior
White Spruce has thick, waxy needles and a conical shape that sheds heavy snow, helping it survive harsh winter conditions.
Ability
Seed Slinger
Its cones open when dry, releasing winged seeds that travel on the wind, allowing the tree to spread far and wide.
Ability
Resin Repair
The tree produces sticky resin that seals wounds from insects or damage, acting like a natural bandage.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-30 m
- Canopy Spread
- 5-8 m
- Edible
- Yes
- Trunk Diameter
- 30-60 cm
- Lifespan
- 150-250 years
- Fruit Type
- Cone
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
Ecological connections
eats
Red Squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Gathers and stores its seeds for winter.
eats
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Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostra
Specialized beak extracts seeds from cones.
eats
Moose
Alces alces
Browses on its young shoots and needles.
eats
Spruce Budworm
Choristoneura fumiferana
Larvae feed on new needles, causing defoliation.
Traits
Cold Hardy
Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
Coniferous
Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Tundra
This habitat trait refers to species inhabiting tundras, which are treeless biomes characterized by permafrost, cold temperatures, and low-growing vegetation.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Also known as
Cat sprucePicea glaucaSkunk spruce
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify White Spruce?
The easiest way to identify White Spruce is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is White Spruce?
15-30 m
How wide does White Spruce spread?
5-8 m
Is White Spruce edible?
Yes
How big is White Spruce?
30-60 cm
How long does White Spruce live?
150-250 years
Where is White Spruce usually found?
Cold forests and tundras
What kind of fruit does White Spruce produce?
Cone
Snap Map
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