White Spruce

Picea glauca

Pinaceae · coniferous tree · native

Last updated

Picea glauca (Pinaceae) is a large evergreen conifer native to North America from Alaska and Labrador south to New York and Minnesota. It grows to 80 feet tall with a dense, conical crown and glaucous (bluish-green) foliage. The species is one of the most adaptable and widely distributed North American conifers.

White spruce tolerates a broad range of conditions including cold, heat, drought, and urban environments. It grows in full sun on a range of soil types. Dwarf cultivars are widely used: 'Conica' (Alberta spruce, 6 to 8 feet, dense conical) is the most popular. Spider mites are the most common pest in warm conditions. Hardy in Zones 2a to 8b.

Quick Facts

Height
80 ft
Spread
16 ft
Growth Rate
Slow
Light
Sun to Part Shade
Soil
Adaptable
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
Zone Zones 2a–8b
Bloom Time
Non-flowering
Origin
from Alaska to Labrador, south into Montana
Watch for this season
Cytospora CankerHigh

Spring Canker Activation

Damping-offHigh

Spring Sowing - Preemergence Damping-off Risk

RustHigh

Aecial Stage (Alternate Host)

Pine needle scaleHigh

Crawler Emergence

+ 3 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Phenological Calendar

Stage Typical Window
New growth flush BBCH 11 May 15-Jun 15
Pollen release BBCH 61 May 1-May 31
Pollen shed complete BBCH 69 May 15-Jun 15
Cone development BBCH 71 Jun 1-Aug 31

Diseases: Regionally Documented (16)

Pests: Regionally Documented (15)

Cultivars (4)

'Conica'
Common name: Dwarf Alberta Spruce Dwarf White Spruce; Mature height: 10–12 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 2
'Densata'
Common name: Black Hills Spruce; Mature height: 20–40 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 2
'Pendula'
Common name: Weeping White Spruce; Mature height: 40 ft
'Sanders Blue'
Common name: Sander's Blue Alberta Spruce; Mature height: 2 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 3
Data Maturity
Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.