Plant Detail: Picea glauca (white spruce, cat spruce, Canadian spruce, Black Hills spruce)

* Common Name:	white spruce, cat spruce, Canadian spruce, Black Hills spruce
* Genus:	*Picea*
* Species:	*glauca*
Subspecies:
* Family (scientific):	Pinaceae
* Family (common):	Pine
Synonyms :	*Picea canadensis, Picea glauca var. albertiana, Picea glauca var. densata, Picea glauca var. porsildii*
* Distribution in Canada:	British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Nova Scotia P.E.I. Newfoundland Yukon N.W.T.

Photographer: Bill Moses.

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Habitat

Ecozone(s):

Arctic Cordillera
Taiga Plains
Taiga Shield
Boreal Shield
Atlantic Maritime
Mixedwood Plains
Boreal Plains
Prairies
Taiga Cordillera
Boreal Cordillera
Montane Cordillera
Hudson Plains

Natural Habitat(s):

Forest (over 65% cover)
Woodland (35-60% cover)
Riparian (edge)
Swamp/Marsh (nutrient rich)
Rocky Bluff

Habitat Garden(s):

Hedgerow / Thicket / Windbreak / Screening
Woodland

Erosion Control?

Characteristics		Growing Conditions
* Plant Type:	Tree	Moisture Requirements: Normal, Moist Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Soil Requirements: Clay, Sand, Loam Temperature Zone:
Evergreen?	Yes
Average Height:	20 to 30 m
Tolerances:	Drought Tolerant Salt Tolerant

Flower Info		Fruit/Seed Info
Showy flowers?	No	Showy fruit/seeds?	Yes
Bloom time:		Edible for humans?
Flower Colour(s):	Red	Fruit/Seed Colour(s):	Red, Brown

Miscellaneous		Uses
Fragrant Flowers?	No	Urban Oasis, Stewards in the City, and Eco Superior are specific Evergreen programs that some plants are used in.
Fragrant Foliage?	Yes	Program & Other Uses:	Aboriginal
Fall colours?	No
Distinctive bark?	No
Poisonous to humans?
Thorns or prickles?	Yes
Attracts wildlife?	Birds Other Showy Insects
Larval host for:	Columbia silkmoth	Provincial tree/flower?
Plant Watch species?	No

An important timber tree in Canada. The wood is used extensively by the pulp and paper industry. (Kershaw)

The roots of this tree are so pliable that the Aboriginal people often used them for lacing the birch bark of canoes.

White spruce is too aromatic for use in making spruce tea, but most of the other spruces make a palatable brew. (Hosie, R.C. - Nat. Trees of CA)

Sensory Aspect: Aromatic

This species is deer resistant. (Evergreen)

Larval food plants

USDA PLANTS Database

2001 National Wildlife Fed.

Trees of Ontario
Linda Kershaw
Lone Pine Publishing
2001
ISBN 1-55105-274-1

Native Trees of Canada
R.C. Hosie
Fitzhenry and Whiteside Ltd.
1979

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