# 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. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Cold forests and tundras - **Also known as:** Cat spruce, Picea glauca, Skunk spruce ![White Spruce](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425831/objects/4841.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Pinopsida - **Order:** Pinales - **Family:** Pinaceae - **Genus:** Picea ## 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 - **Winter Warrior:** White Spruce has thick, waxy needles and a conical shape that sheds heavy snow, helping it survive harsh winter conditions. - **Seed Slinger:** Its cones open when dry, releasing winged seeds that travel on the wind, allowing the tree to spread far and wide. - **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 - **Spread:** 5-8 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 30-60 cm - **Lifespan:** 150-250 years - **Fruit Type:** Cone - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Evergreen ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Red Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-squirrel) (*Tamiasciurus hudsonicus*) — Gathers and stores its seeds for winter. - **Eats:** [Red Crossbill](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-crossbill) (*Loxia curvirostra*) — Specialized beak extracts seeds from cones. - **Eats:** [Moose](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Coniferous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coniferous): Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Tundra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tundra): This habitat trait refers to species inhabiting tundras, which are treeless biomes characterized by permafrost, cold temperatures, and low-growing vegetation. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## 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? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Illinois Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/illinois-street-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Red River Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-river-zoo) — North Dakota, US · Zoo - [Mount McKinley National Park Headquarters District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-mckinley-national-park-headquarters-district) — Alaska, US · National Park - [Parc de l'Amérique-Latine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parc-de-lam-rique-latine) — Quebec, CA · Park - [Mount Rushmore National Memorial](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-rushmore-national-memorial) — South Dakota, US · National Park - [Fuller County Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fuller-county-park) — Michigan, US · Park [View all places to see White Spruce](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/white-spruce) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [White Spruce: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-spruce)