White Spruce (Picea glauca)

This is the most valuable of the many varieties of spruce which dominate the Boreal forest and is much sought after by pulp and paper companies. It grows in every province and territory in Canada achieving a normal height of about 24 metres and a diameter of about 60 cm. The strong slender twigs which hold ornaments well, the dense foliage and symmetrical proportions of the spruce make it a very beautiful Christmas tree. The spruce needs lots of water however, and must be watered regularly to prevent it from losing its needles.

Characteristics

The bark on a young tree is grey to reddish-brown, becoming scaly as the tree ages. The cones appear in attractive clumps and are very much like ornaments themselves. The needles are about two centimeters long, and are an attractive dark green or bluish green. The needles of spruce and fir trees are quite similar, but on spruce, the needles are square to round in profile and will roll between your fingers. They are stiff and slightly curved and give off a sharp pungent odour when crushed.