Blue Spruce

(Picea pungens)

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Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)

Identifying Characters: The bluish color of the needles, and the heavy scaling of the bark are characteristic of the species.

Similar Species: Blue Spruce occurs with Engelmann Spruce. The blue color and heavy bark scaling of Blue Spruce will separate the two species.

Measurements: Mature individuals range from 70 to 100 feet in height, although some individuals may be much shorter; diameter at breast height is between 1.5 to 3 feet.

Cones: Cones 2.5 to 4 inches long, cylindrical-elongate, and light brown when mature; cone scales long, thin, and flexible; apices of cone scales pointed and irregularly toothed.

Needles: Needles reguarly arranged around the twig, 0.75 to 1.25 inches in length, stiff, and sharply pointed; color blue-green to blue with white lines; needles diamond-shaped in cross-section.

Bark: Bark gray or brown, with a broken surface and irregular scales.

Native Range: Blue Spruce is primarily native to the central and southern Rocky Mountains of the western United States. Its range extends from latitude 33° 50' to 48° 54' N. and from longitude 104° 45' to 114° 00' W.; the Rocky Mountain region in high mountains from southern and western Wyoming, eastern Idaho, south to Utah, northern and eastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, to central Colorado. It has been reported in isolated locations in north-central Montana. (Silvics of North America. 1990. Agriculture Handbook 654.)

Habitat: Blue Spruce occurs in the central Rocky Mountain region, most commonly along mountain streams.