“Blue Spruce can live up to 600 years.”– Fun Facts
Blue Spruce tree (Good, 2024a)
Picea pungens was first published by Engelmann in 1879. A large number of synonyms exist for the species, the majority of which were published between the 1880s and 1920s. Despite this, there are no accepted subspecies of Blue Spruce (POWO, 2024).
Blue Spruce typically has sharp, tough needles. They are often angled nearly 90 degrees directly out of the branches. This contrasts with another species whose range overlaps with the Blue Spruce: the Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii). Engelmann Spruce usually holds its needles at a softer angle, allowing an observer to grab a needle-covered branch without being pricked excessively (Aon, 2024). Additionally, Blue Spruce typically has longer female cones, 2.5-5 inches long compared to engelmannii’s 1.25-2.25 inches long (Welsh et al., 2015).
Blue Spruce is the most drought tolerant spruce in the world and can withstand extreme cold; up to -40 degrees (Celsius and Fahrenheit) (Goor and Barney, 1976).
Blue Spruce can live up to 600 years (Pavek, 1993).
Native
Introduced
Blue Spruce grows in cool, humid environments. It’s typically found in montane forests from 6000 – 9400 ft in elevation in association with other evergreen trees. It usually isn’t a dominant species and is often restricted to waterside habitats due to its shallow roots (Pavek, 1993; Welsh et al. 2015).
Blue Spruce is ranked “Secure” overall (NatureServe Explorer 2.0, 2024).
