Spruce
Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Pinophyta Class: Pinopsida Order: Pinales Family: Pinaceae Genus: Picea Link
Species
About 35; see text. Norway Spruce ( Picea abies) is a species of Spruce native to Europe. Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. The Order Pinales in the Division Pinophyta, Class Pinopsida comprises all the extant Conifers This order was formerly known as the The family Pinaceae ( pine family) is in the order Pinales and includes many of the well-known Conifers of commercial importance such as Cedars Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link ( February 2, 1767 - January 1, 1850) was a German naturalist and Botanist.

Foliage and cones of White Spruce

Norway Spruce foliage

White Spruce taiga, Denali Highway, Alaska Range, Alaska. Picea glauca ( White Spruce) is a species of Spruce native to the north of North America, from central Alaska east to Newfoundland

Black Spruce taiga, Copper River, Alaska. Picea mariana ( Black Spruce) is a species of Spruce native to northern North America, from Newfoundland west to Alaska

Black Spruce foliage and cones

Sitka Spruce cone

Spruce refers to trees of the genus Picea, a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal (taiga) regions of the earth. The Sitka Spruce ( Picea sitchensis) is a large Coniferous Evergreen Tree growing to 50-70 m tall exceptionally to 100 m tall and A tree is a perennial Woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or In Botany, an Evergreen plant is a plant having leaves all year round The family Pinaceae ( pine family) is in the order Pinales and includes many of the well-known Conifers of commercial importance such as Cedars Taiga (ˈtaɪgə from Turkic or Mongolian) is a Biome characterized by Coniferous forests Spruces are large trees, from 20–60 (–95) m tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and conical form. A cone is a three-dimensional Geometric shape that tapers smoothly from a flat round base to a point called the apex or vertex The needles, or leaves, of spruce trees are attached singly to the branches in a spiral fashion, each needle on a small peg-like structure called a sterigmata. The needles are shed when 4–10 years old, leaving the branches rough with the retained sterigmata (an easy means of distinguishing them from other similar genera, where the branches are fairly smooth).

Spruces are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species; see list of Lepidoptera that feed on spruces. A larva ( Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of Animal with indirect development, undergoing Metamorphosis (for example Lepidoptera is an order of Insect that includes Moths and butterflies. Spruces ( Picea spp are used as food plants by the Larvae of a number of Lepidoptera species including Batrachedridae They are also used as food plants by Gall Adelgids (Adelges species). Gall adelgid refers to adelgid species that produce Galls in spruce trees, conifer species

The word "spruce" derives from an obsolete term for Prussia. Prussia is a historical region in Central Europe extending from the south-eastern coast of the Baltic Sea to the Masurian Lake District.

Scientists have found a cluster of Norway Spruce in the mountains in western Sweden which, at an age of 9,550 years, is the world's oldest known living trees. Norway Spruce ( Picea abies) is a species of Spruce native to Europe. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. ^[1]

Classification

1 Cones with thickish scales; leaves quadrangular in cross-section: section Picea

1a Cones with (mostly) pointed scales; leaves blunt or somewhat pointed

• Picea abies Norway Spruce. Norway Spruce ( Picea abies) is a species of Spruce native to Europe. Europe; important in forestry. Forestry is the Art and Science of managing forests tree Plantations and related Natural resources. The original Christmas tree. A Christmas tree, Yule tree, holiday tree or Tannenbaum (fir tree is one of the most popular Traditions associated with the celebration
• Picea asperata Dragon Spruce. The Dragon Spruce ( Picea asperata; Chinese: Yun Shan) is a Spruce native to western China, from eastern Qinghai, southern Western China; several varieties. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National
• Picea meyeri Meyer's Spruce. Meyer's Spruce ( Picea meyeri;) is a species of Spruce native to Nei Mongol in the northeast to Gansu in the southwest and also inhabiting

1b Cones with smoothly rounded scales; leaves blunt or somewhat pointed

• Picea orientalis Caucasian Spruce or Oriental Spruce . The Caucasian Spruce or Oriental Spruce ( Picea orientalis) is a Spruce native to the Caucasus and adjacent northeast Turkey. Caucasus, northeast Turkey. The Caucasus ( also referred to as North Caucasus) is a geopolitical region located between Europe Asia & Middle East Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches
• Picea morrisonicola Yushan Spruce . UserPolbot. --> Picea morrisonicola is a species of Conifer in the Pinaceae family Taiwan (high mountains). Taiwan ( Taiwanese: Tâi-oân/Tāi-oân (historically 大灣/台員/大員/台圓/大圓/台窩灣 is an Island in East Asia.
• Picea wilsonii Wilson's Spruce . UserPolbot. --> Picea wilsonii is a species of Conifer in the Pinaceae family Western China. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National
• Picea obovata Siberian Spruce. Siberian Spruce ( Picea obovata, syn Picea abies subsp obovata) is a spruce native to Siberia, from the Ural Mountains North Scandinavia, Siberia. Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well Siberia (Сиби́рь Sibir) is the name given to the vast region constituting almost all of Northern Asia and for the most part currently serving Often treated as a variant of P. abies (and hybridises with it) but distinct cones.
• Picea schrenkiana Schrenk's Spruce. Schrenk's Spruce ( Picea schrenkiana) is a Spruce native to the Tian Shan mountains of central Asia in western China ( Xinjiang Mountains of central Asia.
• Picea smithiana Morinda Spruce. The Morinda Spruce or West Himalayan Spruce ( Picea smithiana) is a Spruce native to the western Himalaya and adjacent mountains from northeast Western Himalaya.
• Picea alpestris Norway Spruce, Alpine Spruce. Norway Spruce ( Picea abies) is a species of Spruce native to Europe. The Alps in Europe; rare, often treated as a variant of P. abies (and hybridises with it) distinct cones.

1c Cones with smoothly rounded scales; leaves viciously sharp-pointed

• Picea maximowiczii Maximowicz Spruce. UserPolbot. --> Picea maximowiczii is a species of Conifer in the Pinaceae family of the order coniferalesIt Japan (rare, mountains). For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.
• Picea torano Tiger-tail Spruce. Japan. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.
• Picea neoveitchii Veitch's Spruce. UserPolbot. --> Picea neoveitchii is a species of Conifer in the Pinaceae family Northwest China (rare, endangered). China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National
• Picea martinezii Martinez Spruce. Martinez Spruce ( Picea martinezii) is a medium-sized Evergreen Tree growing to 25-35 m tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 1 m Northeast Mexico (very rare, endangered). The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America.
• Picea chihuahuana Chihuahua Spruce. Chihuahua Spruce ( Picea chihuahuana) is a medium-sized Evergreen Tree growing to 25-35 m tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 1 m Northwest Mexico (rare). The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America.

2 Cones with thickish wavy scales, leaves slightly to strongly flattened: section Omorika

2a Cones mostly with rounded scales; leaves flattened in section, white below

• Picea breweriana Brewer's Spruce. Picea breweriana ( Brewer's Spruce or Weeping Spruce) is a species of Spruce native to western North America, where it is one Klamath Mountains, North America; local endemic. Rogue River Oregon USAjpg|thumb|250px|Rogue River Gorge Oregon]]The Klamath Mountains, sometimes called the Salmon Mountains, are a rugged lightly populated Mountain range Endemism is the Ecological state of being unique to a place Endemic species are not naturally found elsewhere
• Picea brachytyla Sargent's Spruce. UserPolbot. --> Picea brachytyla is a species of Conifer in the Pinaceae family Southwest China. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National
• Picea farreri Burmese Spruce. UserPolbot. --> Picea farreri is a species of Conifer in the Pinaceae family Northeast Burma, southwest China (mountains). Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National
• Picea omorika Serbian Spruce. Picea omorika ( Serbian Spruce; Serbian: панчићева оморика pančićeva omorika is a rare local Spruce, endemic to Serbia; local endemic; important in horticulture. Serbia (Србија Srbija) officially the Republic of Serbia (Република Србија Republika Srbija) is a Landlocked Country Endemism is the Ecological state of being unique to a place Endemic species are not naturally found elsewhere

2b Cones mostly with wavy scales; leaves slightly flattened in section, often paler below

• Picea mariana Black Spruce. Picea mariana ( Black Spruce) is a species of Spruce native to northern North America, from Newfoundland west to Alaska Northern North America.
• Picea rubens Red Spruce. Picea rubens ( Red Spruce) is a species of Spruce native to eastern North America. Northeastern North America; important in forestry. Forestry is the Art and Science of managing forests tree Plantations and related Natural resources.
• Picea glehnii Glehn's Spruce. UserPolbot. --> Picea glehnii ( Ezo Spruce) is a species of Conifer in the Pinaceae family Northern Japan, Sakhalin. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Sakhalin (Сахали́н səxʌˈlʲin Japanese:nihongo|樺太|karafuto or; Chinese: 庫頁 Kùyè also Saghalien, is a large elongated
• Picea alcockiana ("P. bicolor") Alcock's Spruce. Central Japan (mountains). For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.
• Picea purpurea Purple Spruce. UserPolbot. --> Picea purpurea is a species of Conifer in the Pinaceae family Western China. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National
• Picea balfouriana Balfour's Spruce. Western China. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National
• Picea likiangensis Likiang Spruce. UserPolbot. --> Picea likiangensis is a species of Conifer in the Pinaceae family Southwest China. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National
• Picea spinulosa Sikkim Spruce. The Sikkim Spruce ( Picea spinulosa) is a Spruce native to the eastern Himalaya, in Sikkim and Bhutan. Eastern Himalaya.

3 Cones with very thin, wavy scales: section 'Casicta'

• Picea glauca White Spruce. Picea glauca ( White Spruce) is a species of Spruce native to the north of North America, from central Alaska east to Newfoundland Northern North America; important in forestry. Forestry is the Art and Science of managing forests tree Plantations and related Natural resources.
• Picea engelmannii Engelmann Spruce. Picea engelmannii ( Engelmann Spruce) is a species of Spruce native to western North America, from central British Columbia and Western North American mountains; important in forestry. Forestry is the Art and Science of managing forests tree Plantations and related Natural resources.
• Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce. The Sitka Spruce ( Picea sitchensis) is a large Coniferous Evergreen Tree growing to 50-70 m tall exceptionally to 100 m tall and Pacific Coast of North America; the largest species, to 95m tall; important in forestry. Forestry is the Art and Science of managing forests tree Plantations and related Natural resources.
• Picea jezoensis Jezo Spruce. The Jezo Spruce ( Picea jezoensis) is a large Evergreen Tree growing to 30-50 m tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 2 m Northeast Asia, Kamchatka south to Japan. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.
• Picea pungens Blue Spruce or Colorado Spruce. Picea pungens ( Colorado Blue Spruce or Blue Spruce) is a species of Spruce native to western North America, from southeast Rocky Mountains, North America; important in horticulture. Mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains, often called the Rockies, are a Mountain range in western North America.

Uses

Spruce is one of the most important woods for paper manufacture, as it has long wood fibres which bind together to make strong paper. Paper is thin material mainly used for writing upon printing upon or packaging Spruces are cultivated over vast areas for this purpose.

Spruces are also popular ornamental trees in horticulture, admired for their evergreen, symmetrical narrow-conic growth habit. Horticulture is the art and science of plant cultivation Horticulturists (or horticuluralists) work and conduct research in the fields of Plant propagation For the same reason, some (particularly Picea abies and P. omorika) are also extensively used as Christmas trees. A Christmas tree, Yule tree, holiday tree or Tannenbaum (fir tree is one of the most popular Traditions associated with the celebration

Spruce wood, often called whitewood, is used for many purposes, ranging from general construction work and crates to highly specialised uses in wooden aircraft and many musical instruments, including guitars, mandolins, cellos, violins, and the soundboard at the heart of a piano. Wood is hard fibrous lignified structural tissue produced as secondary Xylem in the stems of Woody plants notably trees but also shrubs The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles A mandolin is a musical instrument in the Lute family (plucked or strummed The violoncello (abbreviated to cello, or 'cello, plural cellos or celli —the c is tʃ The violin is a bowed String instrument with four strings usually tuned in Perfect fifths It is the smallest and highest-pitched member The sounding board or soundboard is the part of a String instrument that transmits the vibrations of the strings to the air greatly increasing the Loudness The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers The Wright Brothers first aircraft was built of spruce. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

The resin was used in the manufacture of pitch in the past (before the use of petrochemicals); the scientific name Picea is generally thought to be derived from Latin pix, pitch (though other etymologies have been suggested). Resin, not to be confused with Rosin, is a Hydrocarbon Secretion of many Plants particularly coniferous trees. Pitch is the name for any of a number of highly viscous Liquids which appear Solid. Petrochemicals are chemical products made from raw materials of Petroleum or other Hydrocarbon origin

The leaves and branches, or the essential oils, can be used to brew spruce beer. Spruce beer is a Beverage flavored with the Buds needles or essence of Spruce Trees Spruce has been a traditional flavoring ingredient The tips from the needles can be used to make spruce tip syrup. It can also be made into a tea which has approx 8 times the amount of vitamin C as an orange.

Native Americans in eastern North America once used the thin, pliable roots of some species for weaving baskets and for sewing together pieces of birch bark for canoes. For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States. A basket is a container which is traditionally constructed from stiff fibres often made of Willow. Birch is the name of any Tree of the genus Betula ( Bé-tu-la) in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the A canoe is a small narrow Boat, typically human-powered though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors See also Kiidk'yaas for an unusual golden Sitka Spruce sacred to the Haida people. Kiidk'yaas or Kiid K'iyaas ("ancient tree" also referred to as the Golden Spruce, was a Sitka Spruce Tree, Picea sitchensis The Haida (19th C-early 20th C Indigenous nation of the west coast of North America. Native Americans in New England also used the sap to make a gum which was used for various reasons.

In survival situations spruce needles can be directly ingested or boiled into a tea. This replaces large amounts of vitamin C. Water is also stored in a spruces needles providing an alternative means of hydration. Spruce can be used as a preventative measure for scurvy in an environment where meat is the only prominent food source. Scurvy (NLat scorbutus is a disease resulting from a deficiency of Vitamin C, which is required for the synthesis of Collagen in humans

Spruce branches are also used at Aintree racecourse, Liverpool, to build several of the fences on the Grand National course.

References

External links

• Arboretum de Villardebelle Picea cone photos Cones of selected species (page 1)
• Arboretum de Villardebelle Picea cone photos Cones of selected species (page 2)
• Gymnosperm Database - Picea