Picea rubens (Red Spruce) is a coniferous evergreen tree that is native to the eastern side of North America. Like other conifers, the Red Spruce makes an attractive Christmas tree, a beautiful bonsai subject and is an important tree for timber and paper production. Unlike many conifers, this spruce can also be used to make a beer, has medicinal purposes and its wood makes excellent guitars.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Picea rubens is also commonly known as the Yellow Spruce (confusing), West Virginia Spruce, Eastern Spruce and He-Balsam. Its native range includes Quebec and Nova Scotia in Canada and mainly eastern states of the United States from Maine right down to North Carolina.
Though extremely hardy like you would expect from a spruce, the Red Spruce is more willing to adapt to Sub-Tropical and warmer climates than its relatives.
For more varieties that are ideal for bonsai growing click here.
Growth
Picea rubens is an evergreen spruce tree that grows to a maximum height of 40 metres (131 feet) and a maximum width of 5 metres (16 feet). Young trees thrive under shaded canopy and do well in part-shade but will require sun long-term as they grow. Red Spruce trees are fast-growing for a conifer and tolerate a wide range of soils and temperatures. However, they can struggle in overly polluted environments or with coastal wind exposure due to the salt air.
Leaves are four-sided, yellow/green and are curved with a sharp point and extend from all sides of the twig. The barks’ surface is grey-brown and reddish-brown on the inside. Each seed cone is cylindrical up to 5cm (2 inches) with a glossy red color and ripen during autumn.
The wood is soft, light and has a slightly red tinge with narrow rings.
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, Temperate and Sub-Tropical 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 40 metres (131 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 5 metres (16 feet)
pH:
4.0-6.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium
POLLINATION:
Wind Pollinated
MATURITY:
15-20 Years
GERMINATION RATES:
70-75%
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:
280
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 4 years.
FACTS ABOUT PICEA RUBENS (Red Spruce)
Picea rubens has large a variety of uses and is an important commercial tree in many industries. A popular Christmas tree during the holiday season as well as a key contributor to timber and pulp production for paper and newspapers. The wood of a Red Spruce tree has excellent tone wood and is used in the production of high-end acoustic guitars, violins and musical soundboards.
The leafy twigs are boiled with sugar and flavouring to make Spruce Beer and Spruce Pudding. A herbal tea can be made from the boughs and has been a treatment for measles and colds. The pitch of the trunk has been used as a poultice on rheumatic joints as well as the chest and stomach to ease congestion and pain. A decoction from the bark is used to treat throat and lung complaints.
Red Spruce is also the Provincial tree of Nova Scotia in Canada.
For more information on Red Spruce click here.
