Q&A for How to Identify Spruce Trees

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Do you recommend spruce, fir, or pine trees as Christmas trees?

Matt Bowman
Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden
Matt Bowman is a Gardener, Landscaper, the Owner of Georgia Farm to Table, and the Owner of Tradition Property Services in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years experience, he specializes in organic gardening, landscape maintenance, handyman services, homecare services, and supplying Christmas trees. Matt earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.

Matt Bowman

Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden

Expert Answer

Fir varieties tend to hold up the best in your home. Pines and spruces seem to dry out more quickly.

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Is there a spruce tree that has hanging branches?

Community Answer

Older, more mature Norway Spruce trees will often have hanging branches, especially on the lower end of the tree.

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What are the large jelly-like balls that occur in clusters on my blue spruce trees?

Community Answer

This sounds like sap or resin. Sap oozes through the open "wounds" in spruce trees and is very sticky. Eventually it will dry and can be used to make spruce gum, and can also be used for medicinal purposes.

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Question

What spruce tree has a white colored bark?

Community Answer

White Spruces have white or pale tan bark.

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Why is my blue spruce loaded with pine cones?

Community Answer

Stress causes bountiful seed production in all plants.

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What kind of plants or flowers could I put around white spruce trees?

Community Answer

Azaleas and rhododendrons are great plants to plant around white spruces because they have shallow roots and won't compete with the tree for water and nutrients. Other good plants to grow are flowering perennials, golden dewdrop bushes and ground-cover plants like purple heart.

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What is the shape of spruce leaves?

Community Answer

Spruce don't have "leaves" per se; they have needles. Their needles are four-sided and will roll between your fingers.

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Why are the cones on some spruce trees red?

Community Answer

The cones come in various colors, depending on the specific spruce type. Red or brown cones grow on red spruces, and are usually 1.5 inches in length.

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Question

What evergreen has branches hanging down off of limbs?

Community Answer

That sounds like a Norway Spruce, and those branches are called branchlets. Because of the branchlets, Norway Spruces are often planted in a row such that the branches of mature trees interlock to form a highly wind-resistant barrier. The mature crown of these trees is about 30 feet to 40 feet in diameter. If planted at 30-foot intervals, the branches will interlock when the trees mature.

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How much sun does a spruce tree need?

Community Answer

Spruce trees usually need 6 hours of sun. It can be medium to full sun. Contrary of most deciduous plants, spruces don't tend to extend in order to find more light (thus giving them straight forms).

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I have some spruce trees without cones. They never get them. Why is this?

Community Answer

It may be that the tree is immature.

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I'm trying to identify an evergreen tree. It's about 80 feet tall, and the needles are about 1/2 inch long and only grow out of top and sides of branches. There are closed pine cones only at the top of the tree. What type is it?

Community Answer

I have a Douglas fir that has those characteristics.

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Do white spruces make good Christmas trees?

Community Answer

No. Your home will end up smelling like skunk. Crush some needles of white spruce to smell this identifying trait.

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