Picea mariana (Black Spruce) is a coniferous tree that is native to the northern areas of North America. Although the timber is only useful for paper pulp and chopsticks, the Black Spruce is a hardy bonsai variety and a source for Spruce Beer. When crushed the foliage has a scent like Lemon Balm.
Suitable for Cold and Temperate climates.
Also commonly known as Swamp Spruce. The native climate range for Picus mariana is very cold with long winters, short summers and grows in moist soils that are rich in organic forest floor compost. Black Spruce is found in all ten Canadian provinces (and three territories) and a few of the most northerly states of the USA.
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Growth
Picea mariana is a smallish evergreen tree that grows to a maximum height of 20 metres (65 feet) and a maximum width of 4 metres (13 feet). Black Spruces have a scruffy, narrow growth habit with a long trunk, pointed crown and compact, drooping branches. The bark is thin, scaly and greyish brown while the leaves are four-sided needles with contrasting dark green and paler green shades.
Of all the spruces, the seed cones of the Black Spruce are smallest growing no longer than 4cm (less than two inches). They begin dark purple, are spindle-shaped and are produced in dense clusters that remain on the tree for several years before opening. Black Spruce can take around 10-15 years to start producing seed cones.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Pinaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold and Temperate climate
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-30 to 30°C / -25 to 85°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil must be well draining. Suitable for most types of soil but does not like boggy or clay soils that retain excess moisture.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 15 metres (65 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 4 metres (14 feet)
pH:
4.0-6.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium
POLLINATION:
Wind Pollinated
MATURITY:
10-15 Years
GERMINATION RATES:
50-65%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak 24 hours
Cold Stratification for 6 weeks, post sowing germination averages around 3-4 weeks.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium-Hard
SEEDS PER GRAM:
480
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
The young tips are used as a vegetable and made into Spruce Beer.
SEED STORGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 4 years.
FACTS ABOUT PICEA MARIANA (Black Spruce)
Picea mariana is the provincial tree of the Canadian provinces of both Newfoundland and Labrador.
Black Spruce is one of the most widespread tree species in North America and is used as pulpwood for paper mills and for fast-food chopsticks.
The crushed foliage has a strong scent of balsam or lemon balm.
Along with Red Spruce, Black Spruce is a good source of spruce tips for making spruce beer.
