Spruce trees are conifers that are distinguished by having short, stiff, sharp and somewhat 4-sided needles. If a needle is rolled between the fingers, the corners can be easily felt. Each needle attaches individually to the stem, unlike the pines that attach in bundles. The needles tend to grow all around the twig. If a needle is pulled off the twig, it remains rough due to the persistent needle bases.

Spruces tend to grow in a sharp steeple shape and for that reason are popular ornamental and Christmas trees. As a group they tend to be a northern species and grow in the arctic up to the tree line. Spruce cones are brown and woody when mature and do not fall apart as they do in the firs. The cone scales are thin rather than heavy or thorny as in pines. The bark is rough and dark.