Banner Photo Credit: Opioła Jerzy CC by 2.5
Family: Pinaceae
Latin Name: Picea pungens
Common Name(s): Blue Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, White Spruce
Deciduous or Evergreen: Evergreen
Native Range: Southwest United States
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
Mature Height: 30-60’
Mature Spread: 10-20’
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Native to Minnesota: No
Shade Tolerant: No
Photo Credit: US FWS
Pollen Cones
Photo Credit: Public Domain
Description:
Blue Spruce is a popular ornamental evergreen tree in Minnesota. Leaves are single, bluish-green needles that grow at a right angle from all sides of the twig. The needles are roughly square, stiff, and sharp. Cones are green or violet, and hang from the branches. Bark is thick, grayish-brown, and slightly scaly.
Blue spruce is not commonly used in timber, but is a popular landscape tree due to its blue color, symmetry, and cold-hardiness. It a very popular Christmas tree species, and is the state tree of both Colorado and Utah. The species has a relatively small native range, with small pockets in Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Issues:
Western Spruce Budworm can defoliate and eventually kill blue spruce trees.
Other Resources:
Photo Credit: Dave Powell CC by 3.0 us
