BLACK SPRUCE
Picea mariana

• also known as Bog Spruce, Eastern Spruce, Shortleaf Black Spruce, Swamp Spruce
• "mariana" is derived from Maryland; the man who named the tree felt that Maryland was the epitome of North America

UNIQUE FEATURES:

• small, shrubby tree
• branches short and sparse
• lower branches drooping in older trees
• a "crow's nest" is often formed by clustered uppermost branches

LOCATION:

• northern part of British Columbia
• low to medium elevations except in the southernmost parts of the region
• can survive in cold, nutrient poor sites
• can survive in poorly drained areas such as bogs and swamps

SIZE:

• up to 20 metres in height
• 25 cm in diameter

CONES:

• seed cones - small (less than 3 cm), purplish; can hang on tree for several years
• pollen cones - dark red

NEEDLES:

• 4 sided
• short and stiff
• blue-green
• arranged in all directions along the twig or pointed upwards

BARK:

• thin, scaly
• dark greenish-brown, grey

WOOD CHARACTERISTICS:

• long fibres good for pulp

USES:

• modern - pulp for paper products such as facial tissues
• traditional - wood: fish traps, snowshoe frames, drying racks; pitch/resin: chewed for pleasure, powdered on wounds

bcforestryinfo.com