White Spruce
White Spruce
White Spruce

White Spruce

A.V.K. Nursery Holdings Inc./Sheridan Nurseries Ltd.

$129.99
Title

A symbol of the great northern wilderness, this majestic conifer brings a touch of rugged elegance to any landscape. Its symmetrical, spire-like crown is densely packed with short, blue-green needles that shimmer with a silvery waxy bloom. In winter, its stately pyramidal form creates a breathtaking silhouette against the snow, while its ascending branches offer a lush, layered texture that feels both timeless and powerful.
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Size Guide

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

50' H x 15' W

Zone:

2-6

Watering:

Medium

Foliage Type:

Evergreen

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Light:

Full Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

White Spruce, Canadian Spruce, Skunk Spruce, Cat Spruce, Pasture Spruce

Scientific Name:

Picea glauca

Type:

Native Evergreen Tree

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: Typically 40–60 feet tall with a 10–20 foot spread in landscapes.
  • Growth Habit: Broadly conical to spire-like; dense and uniform.
  • Form: Pyramidal.
  • Growth Rate: Moderate (12–24 inches per year).
  • Longevity: Long-lived, often reaching 250–300 years.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun (6+ hours direct light daily).
  • Soil Preferences: Highly adaptable; thrives in moist loams but grows in sand, clay, or rocky soils.
  • Soil Tolerance: Tolerates acidic to alkaline pH (4.6–8.0) and moderate wetness better than other spruces.
  • Watering: Provide 1–3 inches of water weekly during the first year; becomes drought-tolerant once established.

Special Features:

Native species; extremely cold-hardy; resistant to deer; needles are pungently aromatic when crushed.
Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom: Inconspicuous; male flowers pale red to yellow, female purple in late May.
  • Fall Colour: N/A (Evergreen).
  • Bark: Thin, scaly, and gray-brown.
  • Fruit: Small, cylindrical, pale brown cones (1–2.5 inches long).
  • Evergreen Interest: Consistent blue-green foliage year-round.

Garden Value:

  • Exceptional as a windbreak, privacy screen, or large-scale specimen; provides excellent architectural structure and year-round interest.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife: Provides essential winter cover for birds; seeds are a primary food source for red squirrels and grouse.
  • Human: Historically used for timber and reforestation; popular as a traditional, hardy Christmas tree.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Early spring or fall.
  • Spacing: 10–12 feet apart for a dense windbreak; 20+ feet for specimens.
  • Location Tips: Highly wind-tolerant; avoid planting directly adjacent to high-salt roadways as it has some sensitivity to heavy salt spray.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Best grown in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
  • Moisture Requirements: Prefers moist, well-drained conditions; very adaptable but avoid extreme, prolonged drought during establishment.
  • Maintenance & Fertilization: Low maintenance; benefit from an acidic fertilizer designed for evergreens in early spring.

Tolerances:

High tolerance for wind, heat, cold, and drought; tolerates crowded planting.

Tips For Success:

Mulch to conserve moisture and protect the root zone; ensure young trees are well-watered before the ground freezes in winter.
Fruit Profile