Blue Spruce
Picea pungens (PY-see-uh PUN-jenz)
Blue spruce is a needled evergreen tree in the pine family (Pinaceae). It is native to the central Rocky Mountains from southern Montana and eastern Idaho south to New Mexico. The genus name, Picea , is thought to be derived from the Latin word, pix , which means "pitch" and refers to the sticky resin that is found on the tree's bark. The specific epithet refers to the sharply pointed needles of the tree. This spruce does best in cooler climates and cannot tolerate heat and humidity. It may tolerate the summer weather in the North Carolina mountains. This tree can be grown in average, well-drained soils in full sun, although it will tolerate some shade. It prefers rich, moist soil in full sunlight. Young trees should be kept consistently moist and not allowed to dry out. As this spruce matures, it becomes more drought tolerant and is overall more drought tolerant than other spruces. It has a slow to medium growth rate, and it grows 30 to 60 feet tall, spreading 10 to 20 feet wide. Blue spruce is a medium to large, narrow, pyramidal conifer with horizontal branching to the ground. It has a dense crown and is conic to columnar-conic. The needles are a silvery blue color. As the tree ages, its lower branches tend to droop toward the ground. This tree is often used as a Christmas tree for its bluish color and stiff leaves for ornaments, but it is being replaced by Fraser fir due to the dangerous leaf tips that have caused injury to toddlers. Use blue spruce as a specimen plant or accent. It also works well as a privacy screen. Plant it in drought-tolerant gardens, meadows, naturalized areas, play areas, native gardens or woodland areas. Quick ID Hints: Gymnosperm with bluish saber-like leaves. Leaves are stiff, rigid and spine tipped & borne on woody "pegs". Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has no serious pest issues but can be affected by aphids, scale, budworms, and bagworms. New growth and overall health of this tree can be affected by spider mites VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 51 attributes.