Overview
Picea mariana is a slow-growing evergreen conifer that reaches 30-50 feet (9-15 m) tall and 10-15 feet (3-4.6 m) wide, with a narrow, spire-like crown and an often club-like cluster of branches near the top. In cold bogs it stays much smaller and stunted. The short, four-sided needles are 0.25-0.6 inch (6-15 mm) long, blue-green with a waxy bloom, and densely set on the twigs. Small, rounded seed cones 0.5-1.5 inches (1.3-4 cm) long are purplish when young, ripening to dull brown, and tend to stay closed on the tree for several years, opening gradually or after fire. The bark is thin, scaly, and gray-brown. It is native across the boreal forest of northern North America, where it dominates cold, wet, acidic peatlands, muskeg, and bog margins. Shallow-rooted and adapted to waterlogged, nutrient-poor ground, it also layers, rooting where low branches touch the moss. It is very cold-hardy but grows slowly and tolerates heat and drought poorly, which limits its use to cool northern climates and damp sites.
Native Range
Native to the boreal forests of northern North America, from Alaska and across Canada to Newfoundland and south into the northern United States. It grows in cold bogs, muskeg, peatlands, and moist coniferous forests.Suggested Uses
Used in cold-climate and northern landscapes, wet or boggy ground, and naturalized conifer plantings where few other trees grow. The narrow form suits screens and windbreaks in spacious northern gardens. It supports wildlife with cover and seed in habitat and restoration plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height30' - 50'
Width/Spread10' - 15'
Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years
Bloom Information
As a conifer it does not flower. Reddish pollen cones and small purple seed cones appear near the branch tips in late spring, generally May to June, and release pollen on the wind. The seed cones ripen by fall and may stay closed on the tree for several years before shedding seed.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight