Western white spruce (Picea glauca, Farjon, A. In: A Handbook of the World’s Conifers. Vol. 1 & 2. E. J. Brill, Leiden & Boston. 1112 pp. (2010).)

Family: Pinaceae

Author: (Moench) Voss

Bibliography: Farjon, A. In: A Handbook of the World’s Conifers. Vol. 1 & 2. E. J. Brill, Leiden & Boston. 1112 pp. (2010).

Year: Unknown

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Picea

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Unknown

Description

Western white spruce, scientifically known as Picea glauca, is an evergreen conifer that belongs to the Pinaceae family. This species is a crucial component of northern boreal forests and is highly valued for its versatility and resilience in a variety of ecological conditions.

Characterized by its conical shape and straight trunk, the Western white spruce typically grows between 15 to 30 meters tall, though it can sometimes reach heights of up to 40 meters. The tree’s bark is thin and scaly, varying in color from grey to brown, while the branches are often densely covered with needle-like leaves. These needles, measuring 1.2 to 2 cm in length, are bluish-green, and give the tree its characteristic ‘glauca’ or ‘white’ appearance due to their waxy coating.

Picea glauca thrives in colder climates and is native to the vast boreal forests stretching across North America, from Alaska through most of Canada, and extending into the northern United States. The tree displays remarkable adaptability, growing in both well-drained sands and almost swamp-like conditions.

Western white spruce is prized not only for its ecological role but also for its economic value. It serves as a primary source of timber and pulpwood, and its wood is utilized in the construction industry and for making musical instruments, veneers, and various other wood products. Additionally, it is commonly planted for reforestation and as an ornamental tree in landscapes due to its hardiness and aesthetic appeal.

Given its resilience and importance, the Western white spruce plays a pivotal role in the ecosystems it inhabits, supporting diverse wildlife and contributing to the overall health of forest environments. For further information and a detailed overview, one can refer to “A Handbook of the World’s Conifers” by A. Farjon, a comprehensive source on conifer species globally.

Although specific field observations are not documented in this context, the Western white spruce remains an extensively studied and significant species within forestry and ecological research.

Common Names

Ita: abete americano, picea glauca
Eng: alberta spruce, alberta white spruce, american white spruce, black hills spruce, canadian spruce, cat spruce, porsild spruce, skunk spruce, western white spruce, white spruce, pasture spruce
Lit: baltoji eglė
Swe: bredpilblad, kinesisk en, naverlönn, tysklönn, valkokuusi, vitgran
Dan: hvid-gran
Nor: hvitgran
Hun: kanadai szürke luc, szürke luc
Deu: kanadische fichte, schimmel-fichte, schimmel-fichte, kanadische fichte, schimmelfichte, weiß-fichte, weißfichte
Lav: kanädas egle
Nld: witte spar
Nob: hvitgran
Nno: kvitgran
Spa: pícea blanca
Ces: smrk sivý
Fin: valkokuusi
Fra: épicéa blanc, épicéa canadien, épinette blanche, épinette glauque, épicéa glauque
Pol: świerk biały
Rus: ель сизая (el’ sizaya)
Zho: 白云衫 (bai yun shan)
Cym: sbriws gwyn, sbriwsen wen, spriwsen wen
En: Western white spruce, White spruce, Black Hills spruce, Porsild spruce, Alberta white spruce, American white spruce, Canadian spruce, Alberta spruce, Cat spruce, Skunk spruce, Pasture spruce
Ar: تنوب رمادي
Be: Елка канадская
Bg: Бял смърч
Zh: 白雲杉, 白云衫 (bai yun shan)
Cr: Siyihtah
Cs: Smrk sivý
Da: Hvidgran, Hvid-gran
Nl: Witte spa, Witte spar
Et: Kanada kuusk
Fi: Valkokuusi
Fr: Épinette blanche, Épicéa blanc, Épicéa canadien, Épinette glauque, Épicéa glauque
De: Schimmelfichte, Weißfichte, Weiß-Fichte, Kanadische Fichte, Schimmel-Fichte, Schimmel-Fichte, Kanadische Fichte
He: אשוחית לבנה
Hu: Szürke luc, Kanadai szürke luc
Is: Hvítgreni
It: Picea glauca, Abete americano
Kv: Чочком кӧз
Lv: Kanädas egle
Lt: Baltoji eglė
Mk: Сива смрча
Nv: Chʼóshgai
No: Kvitgran, Hvitgran
Nb: Hvitgran
Nn: Kvitgran
Fa: نوئل کانادایی
Pl: Świerk biały
Pt: Pinheiro-do-canadá
Ru: Ель сизая, Ель сизая (el’ sizaya)
Sr: Бела смрча
Sk: Smrek sivý
Es: Pícea blanca
Sv: Vitgran, Bredpilblad, Kinesisk en, Naverlönn, Tysklönn, Valkokuusi
Tr: Ak ladin
Uk: Ялина канадська
Cy: Sbriwsen wen, Sbriws Gwyn, Spriwsen Wen

Synonyms

Distribution

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 17, 2021 by Anett Győri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2022 by Sheri-Ann Kelly (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2022 by Carlos Oliveira (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2022 by Carlos Oliveira (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2022 by Carlos Oliveira (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by abdullah doğan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2019 by Yara Adam (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2022 by fossas russell (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2022 by Carlos Oliveira (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 11, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 11, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2022 by ʅσʅҽʂ Ƈϝ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 4, 2006 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 7, 2021 by Lyndon Chan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 2, 2021 by S. S. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2018 by Rainer Roth (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Dec 6, 2020 by Zori 🌿🐝🌳 K (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2020 by Rogelio Herrera (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by Coronado Guillermo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2022 by Cass Beck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Ivy Bone (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 13, 2021 by Svetle Gorg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2019 by Alvaro Cazalla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 10, 2009 by EOL − Shira Golding Evergreen (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 3, 2020 by ML (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2020 by Andreas Lange (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5284745)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Picea glauca (Moench) Voss)

Specifications

Growth