Red Spruce
Picea rubens
Also listed as Picea australis, Abies americana
Climate Match for your location
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Red spruce is a coniferous evergreen tree native to northeastern North America, valued for its pyramidal form and dark green needles that often display reddish tones. It thrives in cool climates and is important for timber and forest ecosystems.
Why grow it
Red spruce grows more slowly than black spruce but develops superior form and denser foliage in suitable conditions, making it preferable where a refined appearance matters. It tolerates wet to mesic soils better than many conifers, though it requires consistently cool temperatures and high humidity to thrive outside its native range. In its native northeastern forest type, it provides structural diversity and wildlife habitat alongside timber value.
Watch out for
Red spruce is sensitive to drought stress and performs poorly in warm, dry climates or where air circulation is limited. Seedlings and young saplings benefit from partial shade and consistent moisture during establishment. Spider mites can be problematic in stressed trees, particularly in warmer regions or during dry summers.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Red spruce is a coniferous evergreen tree native to northeastern North America, valued for its pyramidal form and dark green needles that often display reddish tones. It thrives in cool climates and is important for timber and forest ecosystems.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red Spruce grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Red spruce grows more slowly than black spruce but develops superior form and denser foliage in suitable conditions, making it preferable where a refined appearance matters. It tolerates wet to mesic soils better than many conifers, though it requires consistently cool temperatures and high humidity to thrive outside its native range. In its native northeastern forest type, it provides structural diversity and wildlife habitat alongside timber value.
Watch out for
Red spruce is sensitive to drought stress and performs poorly in warm, dry climates or where air circulation is limited. Seedlings and young saplings benefit from partial shade and consistent moisture during establishment. Spider mites can be problematic in stressed trees, particularly in warmer regions or during dry summers.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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