Table of Contents
What trees are in the spruce family?
Spruce trees and shrubs are classified in the genus Picea, which includes 35 species. It’s considered part of the Pinaceae family, along with pines, firs, cedars, hemlocks, larches, and a few other species. A spruce tree can be identified simply by examining its needles.
How many species of spruce trees are there?
40 species
Spruce belongs to the genus of coniferous evergreen trees of the pine family. There are about 40 species.
What kind of tree is a spruce?
conifer trees
What Is a Spruce Tree? Spruces are tall, symmetrical conifer trees with evergreen needles attached individually rather than bunched like pine needles. While they resemble fir trees, spruces drop their cones intact, rather than dispersing seeds first as fir trees do.
Is Blue Spruce a pine tree?
The Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is a member of the pine tree family that is native to the Rocky Mountain regions of North America. The tree has a mature height of around 70 to 80 feet. While blue spruce grows relatively slowly, it is long-lived and may reach ages of 600-800 years.
Are pine and spruce the same?
This is an easy tip to remember: on pine trees, needles are attached and attached to the branches in clusters; on spruce trees, needles are attached individually. A longleaf pine – which you can tell is a pine because its needles are attached in bundles. A mature picea pungens “blue spruce” cone.
Is a spruce a pine?
Pine (Pinus spp.), spruce (Picea spp.), and fir (Abies spp.) are all types, or genera, of medium to tall (60-200 feet), evergreen, needle-bearing, cone-producing trees that have a conical or pyramidal shape. Collectively, they are called conifers because of their cone production.
How can I tell what kind of spruce tree I have?
Spruce trees can be identified by their needles which have four sides. Each needle is individually attached to the branch and can be rolled easily between your fingers. Another way to identify spruce trees is by their cones that are covered with smooth thin scales. It is quite easy to bend the cones of spruce trees.
What is the difference between a blue spruce and a Colorado blue spruce?
Blue spruce belongs to the species Picea pungens and is common in North America. It is also called Colorado spruce. Norway spruce belongs to the species Picea abies. It is native to Northern Europe and can also be found in the central and eastern parts of the continent.
Are all evergreens pine trees?
Evergreen species There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs. Evergreens include: Most species of conifers (e.g., pine, hemlock, blue spruce, and red cedar), but not all (e.g., larch) Live oak, holly, and “ancient” gymnosperms such as cycads.
How can you tell a spruce from a pine?
Look for the number of needles that come out of the same spot on a twig. If a twig bears needles in groups of two, three, or five, you can safely call it a pine. If the twig carries its needles singly, it’s a good bet you’ve got a fir or a spruce.
Is Douglas fir a spruce?
Douglas fir, which has sometimes been called the Douglas tree, Oregon pine, and Douglas spruce, is not actually a true fir, a pine, or a spruce. Douglas firs are evergreen trees, meaning they keep their needle-like leaves year-round. …
Are all conifers evergreens?
While it’s true that the majority of conifers are evergreen (their green foliage stays for a year or more), the word conifer is not synonymous with evergreen -as we discovered with deceptively deciduous trees and unsuspecting evergreens. An evergreen tree is a tree that keeps its leaves (or needles) all year long.
What are the different types of spruce trees?
A spruce tree is called a coniferous evergreen because its needles stay green all year round and it bears cones that grow on the ends of the branches. The different types of spruces include the Norway spruce, the blue spruce, the white spruce and the black spruce.
How to identify spruce trees and shrubs?
Spruce trees and shrubs are classified in the genus Picea, which includes 35 species . It is considered to be part of the Pinaceae family, along with pine trees , fir trees, cedars, hemlocks, larches, and a few other species. A spruce tree can be identified simply by examining its needles . These conifers feature needles attached to the branch by a swollen area called a pulvinus- a joint-like structure that allows extra flexibility and movement.
What are spruce trees used for?
Spruces, particularly the Norway spruce, are planted in forests to keep them thick, making an excellent habitat for a variety of wild animals. This particular species of tree is often used to manufacture paper. The fibers within the spruce wood are long, making this wood ideal to use in paper manufacturing.
What are facts about spruce trees?
The spruce tree is symbolically used in the coat-of-arms of the Finnish town of Kuhmo.