White Spruce (Picea glauca)
| Needle retention | Best among spruces, but still needs a fresh cut and constant water |
|---|---|
| Fragrance | Disagreeable when needles are crushed: nicknamed "skunk spruce" |
| Needles | Short, stiff needles 1/2–3/4 in with a blunt tip: less prickly than blue spruce |
| Ornaments | Stiff needles and good shape make it excellent for ornaments |
| Color | Bluish-green to green |
| Grown in | Newfoundland to Alaska, south to New England and the Lake States: one of the widest conifer ranges |
| USDA zones | 2-6 (for planting a living tree; find your zone by ZIP) |
Worth knowing
- State tree of South Dakota.
Care notes
Whatever the species: make a fresh half-inch cut off the trunk before it goes in the stand, use a stand that holds a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter, top it up daily, and keep the tree away from heat. Details in the care guide.
Sources: National Christmas Tree Association: Tree Varieties · PA Christmas Tree Growers Association: Selection Guide · NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox