Blue Spruce
ExploreTrees
Blue Spruce
Picea pungens Engelm.
The Blue Spruce is a beautiful tree with bluish-green needles. It has a nice shape and is often planted in yards.
Habitat: Mountains and gardens
Appearance
The Blue Spruce has stiff, sharp needles that are a distinctive silvery-blue or bluish-green. Its striking pyramidal shape makes it easily recognizable. The bark is gray-brown, developing scaly plates with age, contrasting with its vibrant foliage.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyPinaceaeGenusPicea
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each individual needle can stay on the tree for 4 to 10 years before falling off!
It's the official state tree of both Colorado and Utah in the USA!
Its scientific name "pungens" means "sharp," perfectly describing its spiky needles!
The cones hang downward from the branches, unlike some other spruce tree types!
Special abilities
Ability
Waxy Armor
Blue Spruce has a special waxy coating on its needles that helps it save water and survive dry weather.
Ability
Sharp Defense
Blue Spruce has stiff, sharp needles that deter hungry animals from nibbling on its branches.
Ability
Wind Warrior
Blue Spruce has a strong, deep root system that helps it stand firm against powerful winds.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 25-45 m
- Canopy Spread
- 6-12 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 60-150 cm
- Lifespan
- 150-600 years
- Fruit Type
- Cone
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
Ecological connections
eats
American Red Squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
eats seeds from mature cones
eats
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostra
uses its beak to extract seeds from cones
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
browses on young saplings and lower branches
parasitizes
Red Ring Rot
Phellinus pini
causes decay in the heartwood of the tree
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.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Mountain
This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.
Also known as
Blue Spruce TreeCathedral Spire SpruceColorado Blue 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 tall is Blue Spruce?
25-45 m
How wide does Blue Spruce spread?
6-12 m
Is Blue Spruce edible?
No
How big is Blue Spruce?
60-150 cm
How long does Blue Spruce live?
150-600 years
Where is Blue Spruce usually found?
Mountains and gardens
What kind of fruit does Blue Spruce produce?
Cone
How fast does Blue Spruce grow?
Medium
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