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| Needles; Photo: Daniel Tigner, Canadian Forest Tree Essences |
Bark; Photo: Daniel Tigner, Canadian Forest Tree Essences |
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| Cones; Photo: Arthur Haines | Tree; Photo: Daniel Tigner, Canadian Forest Tree Essences |
Bark, branches, buds and seeds from the white spruce are a meal for deer, rabbits, porcupines, birds, and small rodents.
The white spruce is common tree in the north, but it can grow in southern Ontario. It grows well in the far north and can be found along the arctic tree line.
The white spruce usually grows to be 24 metres tall, but under ideal conditions can grow to more than 30 metres tall. It usually lives between 250 and 350 years, but trees up to 1,000 years have been seen. Its needles are about 2 centimetres long and bluish green or green in colour, with a whitish powdery, waxy layer. Cones from the white spruce are 5 to 7 centimetres long and are light brown.
Wood from the white spruce is used to make wood pulp and lumber. They are also grown as Christmas trees.
Size: 24 metres tall, trunk 60 centimetres in diameter
Moisture: Tolerates a range of moisture levels
Shade: Tolerates shade
Soil: Can grow in almost any soil type
Planting tip: The white spruce is sensitive to frost damage when young and should be planted in a protected area. It can survive in a range of soil and moisture conditions. More tips...
