Picea rubens aka Red Spruce

Picea rubens, or red spruce, is an evergreen conifer. It belongs to the pine family, Pinaceae. Its native range spans eastern Canada and the eastern United States. In the south, it grows high in the Appalachian Mountains. Farther north, it grows near sea level. There it occupies swamps, bog edges, and well-drained slopes. It often shares mountain sites with Fraser fir.

Garden trees reach 60–80 feet [18.3–24.4 metres] tall. Their spread reaches 10–18 feet [3–5.5 metres]. Trees in wet, humid sites may reach 150 feet [45.7 metres]. The straight trunk supports a cone-shaped crown. Sources describe both narrow crowns and broader, open forms. Dark brown bark breaks into scales and shows red beneath. Stout stems have a yellow-brown tone. Fine hairs cover the orange-brown twigs. Short pegs remain where needles once grew. The small buds have loose, orange-brown scales.

The glossy needles have four sides and a yellow-green tint. They measure about half an inch long and have pointed tips. Some curve forward and lie close to the twig. The foliage has a scent and stays green year-round. This tree bears cones rather than true flowers. Young cones range from green to purple. They turn shiny red-brown as they mature in fall. Cones reach about one to two inches long. Their scales have smooth edges, and ripe cones soon drop.

Red spruce needs a cool site with full sun. It grows best in moist, acidic soil with good drainage. It accepts clay, loam, sand, and rocky ground. Sources place its hardiness in USDA zones 2–5. Hot summers and air pollution can harm it. Growth starts slowly, then speeds up before slowing again. Shallow roots make trees prone to wind damage on thin soils. Spruce mites and weevils can also cause trouble. The tree is highly flammable.

Red spruce suits screens, large lawns, and specimen plantings. Birds nest in its crown. Wildlife eat its twigs, needles, and seeds. Its wood serves makers of paper, boxes, and musical instruments. Bark and roots have served in basket making. Some parts have food uses, though several are famine foods. These include young shoots, inner bark, seeds, and young cones. Young male catkins can add flavour to food. Sawdust, resin, and needles can irritate some people's skin.