Jesse Saylor
Family
Pinaceae
Botanical Name
Picea mariana
Plant Common Name
Black Spruce, Maryland Spruce
General Description
The black spruce is an elegant evergreen tree that is spire-like with drooping branches that upcurve like eyelashes at their tips. It is a native of northern North America, from Alaska to the northernmost tier of the eastern United States. Often found growing in cool, moist soils, it has a shallow root system and is easily toppled by winds. This is a boreal species.
The needles of black spruce are four-sided, shiny and dark blue-green. The spry branches are relatively short, angle downward and then gracefully curve upward at their tips. Each spring, both male and female cones appear on the tree, but only the latter persist. These attractive, pendant, female cones are initially blue-black and change to dark red and finally to cinnamon brown, maturing in late fall. Cones and dead branches tend to linger on this gray-brown trunked tree for years.
Grow black spruce in full sun and neutral to acidic soil that is rich and friable but has good drainage. It is a slow growing spruce and since it does have a shallow root system it is best located in a wind-protected site or grown in clustered groves.
Selection 'Aureovariegata' has yellow and green needles, while 'Ericoides' and 'Nana' are both excellent for shrub borders, foundation beds and small rock gardens with their dwarf, compact sizes.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
6 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
1 - 6
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Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7
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Plant Type
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
30'-65' / 9.1m - 19.8m
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Width
6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m
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Native To
Northeastern United States, North-Central United States, Alaska, Canada
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Narrow Upright/Fastigiate
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
None
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Fruit Color
Burgundy, Dark Blue, Dark Salmon, Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Sea Green, Blue Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Blue Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Blue Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Blue Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
Yes
