Black Spruce


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British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide

Blkspruce1.Jpg
BLACK SPRUCE
Picea mariana

  • The Black Spruce is 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:

  • The Black Spruce is a small, shrubby tree
  • Branches of the Black Spruce are short and sparse
  • Lower branches drooping in older trees
  • A "crow's nest" is often formed by clustered uppermost branches

LOCATION:

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

SIZE:

  • The Black Spruce grows up to 20 metres in height
  • Is 25 cm in diameter

CONES:

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

Blkspruce2.Gif
NEEDLES:

  • 4 sided
  • Short and stiff
  • Blue-green
  • Arranged in all directions along the twig or pointed upwards

BARK:

  • the bark of the Black Spruce is 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

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Black Spruce