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| Needles Photo by: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service |
Bark Photo by: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service |
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| Cone Photo by: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service |
Tree Photo by: Versicolor.ca |
Red spruce wood is often used in the manufacturing of string instruments.
The Red Spruce has seen a decline over the past 50 years and is now relatively rare in Ontario. It can be found in small, isolated stands in the Algonquin Highlands of eastern Ontario with its natural range extending into the Maritime provinces.
Individuals of this species can live for 400 years, attaining a height of up to 26 metres. Like the black spruce, this conifer has four sided needles attached to hairy twigs. However, the needles of the Red Spruce are yellowish-green and curved. Seeds are only produced after the tree reaches 30-40 years of age, with good seed crops occurring every three to eight years. Mature cones can be 3-5cm long with easily detached scales.
Red Spruce can provide important winter habitat for moose and deer, which require protection from deep snow during the winter. In addition, squirrels and seed-eating birds enjoy the seeds of the Red Spruce in the fall.
Size: 26 metres tall, trunk 60 centimetres in diameter
Moisture: Prefers well-drained soils
Shade: Shade-tolerant
Soil: Till soils with high stone content
Planting Tip: Red Spruce can be planted in shady areas and is similar in its growth habit and site preference to its more common cousin the White Spruce (prefers moist well-drained soils). Landowners interested in conserving our genetic heritage should consider planting Red Spruce if stock can be sourced locally. More tips...
