Spruce
A genus of coniferous trees, source of timber and pulp.
Spruce is a tree of the genus Picea, comprising some 37 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal (taiga) regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Spruces are distinguished from other Pinaceae by their four-sided needles attached singly to small persistent peg-like structures (pulvini) on the twigs, and by their resinous, monoecious nature with separate male and female cones on the same tree. They are a major producer of timber for construction and pulp for paper, and the Norway spruce is widely used for Christmas trees.
- oldest_known_fossil
- ~100–90 million years old (Late Cretaceous)
- oldest_reported_tree_age
- over 600 years (Picea abies, Norway spruce in Sweden)
Lore & Background
The scientific name Picea derives from Latin 'pix', meaning pitch, obtained from the resin of Picea abies. The English word 'spruce' comes from Middle English 'spruse' or 'Sprws', originally denoting goods imported from Prussia, and ultimately from Old French 'Pruce' (Prussia). The genus was first validly published by A. Spruces have a straight trunk, though can become bushy if damaged by wind or biotic factors. Young trees have a conical crown; older trees tend toward a cylindrical column. Branches grow in regular whorls, with lower branches soon lost except in open-grown trees. Needles range from 0.6–0.8 cm (Picea orientalis) to 3.5–5 cm (Picea smithiana). Cones range from 2–3.5 cm (Picea mariana) to 10–20 cm (Picea abies). The structure of cone scales is the most useful feature for identifying species. Pests of spruce forestry include green spruce aphid, eastern spruce budworm, European spruce bark beetle, and great spruce bark beetle. Spruce is the standard material for soundboards of stringed instruments like acoustic guitars. Native Americans use the roots of some species for weaving baskets.
Reader's Guide
Spruce is significant as a major producer of timber for construction and pulp for paper, and as the standard material for soundboards of stringed instruments such as acoustic guitars. The Norway spruce is widely used for Christmas trees. DNA analyses have often conflicted with traditional classifications based on morphology, and there is strong evidence for a history of reticulate evolution involving extensive hybrid introgression, such as between Picea abies and Picea obovata (Picea × fennica), and between Picea glauca and Picea engelmannii (Picea × albertiana).
Did You Know?
- The scientific name Picea derives from Latin 'pix', meaning pitch, obtained from the resin of Picea abies.
- The oldest reliably identified spruce fossils are from the Late Cretaceous, around 100–90 million years ago.
- Spruce is the standard material for the soundboards of stringed instruments like acoustic guitars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Spruce in the conifer world?
Spruce is the genus Picea, a group of roughly 37 evergreen conifer species within the Pinaceae family. They are native to the cool northern temperate and boreal (taiga) zones of the Northern Hemisphere.
How do I tell a spruce apart from a fir or a pine?
Spruce needles are four-sided and attach one at a time to small, persistent peg-like bumps called pulvini on the twig, whereas firs have flat needles and pines have needles in bundles. Spruces are also resinous and monoecious, carrying both male and female cones on the same tree.
How old can a spruce tree actually get?
The oldest reported Norway spruce (Picea abies) in Sweden has surpassed 600 years of growth. Fossil records push the genus back an estimated 100 to 90 million years, to the Late Cretaceous period.
What are spruces actually used for by people?
They are a major source of construction timber and wood pulp for the paper industry. The Norway spruce, in particular, is the most popular species chosen for Christmas trees.
Where in the world do spruces grow?
Their range is confined to the Northern Hemisphere, where cool northern temperate and boreal climates dominate. You will not find them in the Southern Hemisphere or in tropical lowlands.
More in Conifers And Gymnosperms 25-34
Elsewhere in the Conifers And Gymnosperms universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record