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Picea mariana (Black Spruce)

Black Spruce, Bog Spruce, Swamp Spruce

Picea mariana, Black Spruce, Bog Spruce, Swamp Spruce, Evergreen Conifer, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Picea mariana, Black Spruce, Bog Spruce, Swamp Spruce, Evergreen Conifer, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Picea mariana, Black Spruce, Bog Spruce, Swamp Spruce, Evergreen Conifer, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree

Picea mariana (Black Spruce) is a small, narrow evergreen conifer of narrowly conical habit adorned with a spire-like crown. Descending to sweep the ground, its branches are covered with short, stiff, 4-sided, dark blue-green needles that are attached individually to the branches, rather than presented in clusters. Thin and scaly, the dark gray bark breaks into scales, revealing the inner green bark. Produced in dense clusters in the upper crown of the tree, the cones are the smallest of all the spruces. They are egg-shaped to rounded, dark purple ripening red-brown. They persist for several years. Slow-growing, Black Spruce has a shallow root system which makes the tree susceptible to wind throw. It is an excellent choice for cold northern climates and is tolerant of wet sites.

  • Grows up to 30-50 ft. tall (9-15 m) and 20-30 ft. wide (6-9 m).
  • Performs best in full sun in moist soils. Prefers cool climates and will struggle in hot and humid climate areas.
  • No serious pest and disease issues. Keep an eye out for needle rusts and cankers.
  • No pruning is required.
  • Propagate by grafting or semi-hardwood cuttings.
  • Native to North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 6
Heat Zones 1 - 6
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Conifers, Trees
Plant Family Pinaceae
Genus Picea
Common names Spruce, Black Spruce
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 30' - 50'
(9.1m - 15.2m)
Spread 20' - 30'
(6.1m - 9.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Midwest, Northeast, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Picea pungens (Colorado Blue Spruce)
Picea abies (Norway Spruce)
Picea pungens var. glauca (Colorado Blue Spruce)
Picea rubens (Red Spruce)
Picea sitchensis (Sitka Spruce)
Picea engelmannii (Engelmann Spruce)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 6
Heat Zones 1 - 6
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Conifers, Trees
Plant Family Pinaceae
Genus Picea
Common names Spruce, Black Spruce
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 30' - 50'
(9.1m - 15.2m)
Spread 20' - 30'
(6.1m - 9.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Midwest, Northeast, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Picea (Spruce)
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Picea (Spruce)
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