Plant · GBIF taxon 5284745
white spruce
Picea glaucaAlso known as Canadian Spruce
White spruce is a narrow-crowned evergreen with short, stiff, four-sided needles radiating around each twig. Its branches often sweep slightly upward near their tips, while rough twigs retain small woody pegs after needles fall.
Boreal ConiferEvergreen TreeCold Adapted
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic; shallow spreading roots gather water and nutrients from cool soils
Predators
- Spruce budworms
- Bark beetles
- Browsing mammals
ThreatsWarming climate, drought, severe fire, spruce beetles, budworms, and permafrost change
HabitatsBoreal forest, river terraces, glacial valleys, treeline woodland, peatland margins, and cool uplands
Life spanCommonly 150 to 300 years, with some trees living longer
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPinales
- FamilyPinaceae
- GenusPicea
- SpeciesPicea glauca
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Avoid breaking live twigs or compacting shallow roots around established trees.
Responsible observation
- Needles: Roll a short four-sided needle gently between gloved fingers.
- Twigs: Look for the tiny woody pegs left by shed needles.
- Shape: Notice a narrow crown with slightly drooping lower branches.
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