White Spruce
Picea glauca
Also listed as Picea canadensis, Picea laxa
Also known as Alberta White Spruce, American White Spruce, Canadian Spruce
Climate Match for your location
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A tall, narrow evergreen conifer prized for its attractive blue-green foliage and dense pyramidal shape. White spruce thrives in cold climates and is commonly used as a windbreak or ornamental specimen.
Why grow it
White spruce offers moderate growth rates and cold hardiness comparable to black spruce, with a somewhat more refined pyramidal form and lighter foliage color. It tolerates a wider range of soil conditions than some alternatives and establishes readily in USDA zones 2-6, making it a practical choice for northern windbreaks or screens where site conditions are poor.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during establishment; inconsistent watering can stress growth and increase susceptibility to spider mites and other pests. In warmer climates or drought-prone areas, afternoon shade and mulching help prevent stress. Regular inspection for bagworms and spruce budworm is advisable in regions where these pests are active.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern North America
Native to: Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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
A tall, narrow evergreen conifer prized for its attractive blue-green foliage and dense pyramidal shape. White spruce thrives in cold climates and is commonly used as a windbreak or ornamental specimen.
Climate Match for your location
See how well White Spruce grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
White spruce offers moderate growth rates and cold hardiness comparable to black spruce, with a somewhat more refined pyramidal form and lighter foliage color. It tolerates a wider range of soil conditions than some alternatives and establishes readily in USDA zones 2-6, making it a practical choice for northern windbreaks or screens where site conditions are poor.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during establishment; inconsistent watering can stress growth and increase susceptibility to spider mites and other pests. In warmer climates or drought-prone areas, afternoon shade and mulching help prevent stress. Regular inspection for bagworms and spruce budworm is advisable in regions where these pests are active.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern North America
Native to: Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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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