Red Spruce

Scientific name

Picea rubens

Description

Red Spruce is a large, long lived, coniferous tree species that can grow up to 25 m in height. The bark is gray to reddish brown. The needles are yellowish green, curved, and appear on four sides of hairy twigs. The seed cones are 3-5 cm long and have easily detachable scales. This tree won’t produce its first seed cones until it’s matured and the crown is in direct sunlight. Then seed cones are only produced every 3-8 years. Red Spruce are valuable habitat and source of food for many wildlife species, including birds and small mammals. This tree species is fairly hardy and can grow on difficult or disturbed sites.

Planting conditions

Red Spruce grows best in moist to normal conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It prefers fertile, well-drained loam or rocky soil types. It is tolerant of shade, a variety of soil types, and acidic pH levels. This tree can be naturally found in forests, forest edges, and rocky slopes.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Moist
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
• Eco Zone:
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
• Plant type:
  • Tree
• Height:
  • 25 m
• Spread:
  • 3 m