White spruce | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Pine
Family (botanic) Pinaceae
Planting site Residential and parks
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Evergreen (foliage year-round)
Native locale North America
Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height 40-60 feet
Mature width 10-20 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago)
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil
Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Pyramidal
Growth rate Slow
Transplants well Yes
Wildlife Birds, Browsers, Small mammals
Has cultivars Yes

Native geographic location and habitat:

White spruce is native to Canada and the northwestern United States, in moist, cool climates.

Bark color and texture:

The bark is gray to silvery gray and scaly or flaky.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The pale green, pointed evergreen needles are 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. They are four-sided, often crowded on the upper surface of the stem. The aromatic needles can persist for three to four years before dropping.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Both the male and female flowers are small and insignificant. They are found on the same tree.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

White Spruce has the smallest cones of any of the spruces. They are typically 1 to 2 inches long, cylindrical and pendulous, often clustered near the top of the tree. They are a medium green color throughout much of the summer, and turn brown in autumn and winter. The cone scales are thin, rounded and have smooth margins. It is a favorite of many birds.