Picea pungens
Picea pungens Colorado blue spruce
Non-native spruce introduced to PA from the Rocky Mountains. Often planted as an ornamental tree or landscaping tree, blue spruce has now naturalized throughout the state. Blue spruce is slow-growing and long-lived.
Habitat & Range
Grows in forest plantations and other cultivated sites. Does best in clay and moist soils, but can grow in variety of soils.
Scattered throughout.
| EMP: | FAC |
|---|---|
| NCNE: | FACU |
Characteristics
Tree pyramid-shaped, trunk single, lower branches are widest
Needles single, stiff & with sharp point, four-sided, bluish green to silvery blue; ½ to 1 inch long
Twigs orange brown when young, turning gray brown with age; buds dark orange brown
Bark grayish brown & flaky when young, reddish brown and furrowed with age;
Seed Cones straw-colored, single or in clusters, hanging down; 2-4 inches long
Height 40-60 feet avg, can grow up to 150 feet
Fall Color evergreen
Age 150-200 yrs avg
Picea pungens Colorado blue spruce
