With their pyramidal form and prickly needles, spruce trees are a distinctive sight in landscapes across the Northern Hemisphere But telling different spruce species apart can be tricky for beginners This visual guide will help you identify spruce trees using images highlighting their key features.
Spruce trees belong to the pine family Pinaceae and can be either evergreen or deciduous There are around 35 species of spruce native to North America, Europe and Asia The most recognizable characteristics of spruce trees are
- Conical, spire-like shape
- Short, stiff needles with 4 sides
- Small scaly cones
- Thin bark with resin blisters
While general traits are similar, the details of needles, cones, bark and growth habit can help pinpoint the exact species. Here are images illustrating features of common spruce trees:
Norway Spruce
![Norway Spruce][]
Identifying Features:
- Pyramidal form, up to 100 ft tall
- Short, dark green needles about 1 inch long
- Large, cylindrical hanging cones 3-7 inches long
- Grayish brown bark with resin blisters
Native to Europe, the Norway spruce is a fast-growing species widely planted across North America. It’s a popular Christmas tree for its strong branches and good needle retention.
White Spruce![White Spruce][]
Identifying Features:
- Narrow, conical form, 40-80 ft tall
- Bluish-green needles about 3/4 inch long
- Thin, scaly bark with prominent resin blisters
- Pendulous, cylindrical cones 1-4 inches long
The white spruce is native across Canada, Alaska and the Northeastern US. Its lightweight wood is used for boxes, crates and paper pulp.
Blue Spruce![Blue Spruce][]
Identifying Features:
- Dense, conical form, up to 100 ft tall
- Stiff, sharp, blue-green needles 1-1 1/2 inches long
- Thick, deeply furrowed gray bark
- Oblong cones 2-4 inches long
Named for its distinctive blue foliage, the Colorado blue spruce is widely planted ornamentally across North America. It prefers moist areas.
Black Spruce![Black Spruce][]
Identifying Features:
- Irregular, scrubby form, up to 50 ft tall
- Short, blue-green needles about 1/2 inch long
- Smooth, gray bark with resin blisters
- Oval cones 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches long
The black spruce tolerates poor drainage and is common in boreal peatlands across Canada and the Northern US. Its wood is pulped for paper.
Red Spruce![Red Spruce][]
Identifying Features:
- Pyramidal form, up to 100 ft tall
- Green needles about 3/4 inch long
- Reddish-brown bark with resin blisters
- Egg-shaped cones 1-2 inches long
The red spruce is native to northeastern mountains in the US and Canada. Its lightweight wood is used for construction, furniture and pulp.
Serbian Spruce![Serbian Spruce][]
Identifying Features:
- Broad, conical form, up to 130 ft tall
- Stiff, sharp, blue-green needles 2-4 inches long
- Thick, grayish bark with resin pockets
- Cylindrical hanging cones 4-8 inches long
Native to southeastern Europe, the Serbian spruce is planted ornamentally for its bold texture and pyramidal form. It needs well-drained soil.
Using this visual guide when observing spruce trees in your region will help you distinguish the subtle differences between species based on needles, cones, bark and growth habits. Over time, you’ll be able to identify spruces at a glance.
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How to Identify Spruce Trees
FAQ
What’s the difference between a pine tree and a spruce tree?
What is special about the spruce tree?
What does a full grown spruce tree look like?
What is a spruce tree?
Spruce trees are a group of evergreen and deciduous coniferous trees from the Pinaceae family. Most spruces can easily be identified by their compact, narrow crown and drooping branchlets. These species grow in a variety of climates including coastal areas, high altitudes, and boreal forests.
What does a spruce tree look like?
Spruce trees produce cone-shaped seeds that can range in color from red to green depending on the species of the spruce tree that they belong to (red spruce cones are bright red while Engelmann spruce cones are dark green). These seeds or pinecones typically appear extremely prickly due to stiff bristles sticking out of them.
How big does a spruce tree get?
Spruce trees range from shrub-like dwarfs to giants (Sitka spruce routinely reaches 125 to 180 feet tall). The latter are suitable only for large yards because they need a lot of space. How do I tell what type of spruce I have?
Where do spruce trees grow?
These species grow in a variety of climates including coastal areas, high altitudes, and boreal forests. Many types of spruce trees serve as ornamental plantings in urban parks and gardens, while others provide wood for construction beams, fences, or furniture making. 1. Sitka Spruce
How do you tell a spruce tree from a pine tree?
Pine needles grow on branches in small bunches from two to seven. However spruce trees have individual needles growing on the branches. You can also tell spruce trees apart from pine trees by looking at their shape. Spruce tree branches tend to have an upward growth with full, bushy needle foliage.
How many spruce trees are there?
Browse 36,801 spruce trees photos and images available, or search for black spruce trees to find more great photos and pictures. New Year Tree branches. Group of objects. Background with branches of young spruce. winter scene. Branch with snow Top view of green fir tree spruce branch with needles isolated on white background.