Also known as Alberta Spruce · Alberta White Spruce · American White Spruce
Picea glauca, commonly known as White Spruce, is a large, long-lived evergreen conifer native to North America. It has a dense, conical form and blue-green needles, adapt
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full sun to partial shade.
80% intensity
Moderate, consistent moisture when young, drought-tolerant when established.
50% intensity
Well-drained, acidic to neutral loam, sand, or clay.
50% intensity
Extremely cold hardy, prefers cool summers.
20% intensity
Outdoor
50% intensity
Generally not needed for established trees.
20% intensity
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
Generally considered non-toxic. Young spruce tips and inner bark are edible. Large ingestion of needles might cause mild digestive upset.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
White Spruce requires consistent moisture, especially during its establishment phase in the first few years after planting.
Once mature, it is quite drought-tolerant but benefits from deep watering during prolonged dry periods. Ensure the soil drains well to prevent root rot. Avoid overwatering, particularly in heavy soils.
Pruning for White Spruce is typically minimal, focusing on removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches to maintain tree health and structure. Avoid heavy pruning, as conifers do not readily sprout from old wood.
Light shaping can be done in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges, if necessary.
White Spruce can be propagated from seeds, which require a period of cold stratification to germinate.
Cuttings are more challenging but can be attempted from semi-hardwood in late summer, using rooting hormone and bottom heat. Air layering is another less common method for propagating specific cultivars.
Repotting is not applicable for mature White Spruce trees as they are large, permanent landscape plants.
Young saplings grown in containers for transplanting should be moved to larger pots as they outgrow their current size, ensuring minimal root disturbance. Plant into the ground as soon as they are robust enough.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of White Spruce (Picea glauca)
Where White Spruce (Picea glauca) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Pinopsida |
| Order | Pinales |
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Genus | Picea |
| Species | Picea glauca |
Similar in genus Picea
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
