Black Spruce Seeds 25 Count Picea mariana Description: Tree with open, slightly irregular, conical crown of short, horizontal, and drooping branches; a prostrate shrub at timberline; when overshadowed by taller trees. Height: 20-60' (6-18 m). Diameter: 4-12 (0.1-0.3 m). Needles: Evergreen; 1/4-5/8"" (6-15 cm) long. Stiff, 4-angled, sharp-pointed,; spreading on all sides of twig from very short leafstalks; ashy blue-green with whitish lines. Bark: Gray or blackish, thin, scaly; brown beneath; cut surface of inner bark yellowish. Twigs: Brown; slender, hairy, and rough, with peglike bases. Cones: 5/8-1 1/4"" (1.5-3 cm), long; egg-shaped or rounded; dull gray; curved downward on short stalk and remaining attached, often clustered near top of crown; cone-scales stiff and brittle, rounded and finely toothed; paired, brown, long-winged seeds. Habitat: Wet soils and bogs including peats, clays, and loams; in coniferous forests; often in pure stands. Range: Across N. North America near northern limit of trees from Alaska and British Columbia east to Labrador, south to S. Carolina, and west to Minnesota; at 2000-5000' (610-1524 m). Discussion: Black Spruce is one of the most widely distributed conifers in North America. Uses are similar to those of White Spruce; however, the small size limits lumber production. The lowest branches take root by layering when deep snows bend them to the ground, forming a ring of small trees around a large one. Spruce gum and spruce beer were made from this species and Red Spruce. Black spruce is a symbol of our vast boreal forests. It dominates the northern part of the commercial forest and the mixed forest scattered with conifers. It reproduces by layering when its lower branches, lying on the ground, take root. In hardwood forests, black spruce is commonly found in bogs and marshy areas. Further north, in the immense coniferous region, it adapts to thin, rocky soil. It often forms vast pure stands, but is also found with balsam fir, white spruce, jack pine, tamarack, and trembling aspen. Almost white, its wood is quite light-weight and strong. The length and density of its fibers make it the most desirable species for the pulp and paper industry. It is also used in construction. ""
