Known for its stately, majestic, symmetrical form and its beautiful silver-blue color, the Colorado blue spruce was first discovered on Pikes Peak in 1862 by botanist C.C. In the wild, Picea pungens grows to about 23 m (75 ft), but when planted in parks and gardens it seldom exceeds 15 m (49 ft) tall by 5 m (16 ft) wide. Rodika Tchi is an experienced feng shui consultant who guides clients through all aspects of applying feng shui in their homes, offices, and gardens. Blue spruce trees are found in the Wasatch and Uinta mountains of Utah at elevations between 6,000 to 11,000 feet (aspens are found in all 29 Utah counties). Utah designated blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm) as the official state tree in 1933 (replaced by quaking aspen in 2014). The first symptom is the needles turning reddish-brown and falling off. Its natural range extends from Colorado to Wyoming but it has been widely introduced elsewhere and is used as an ornamental tree in many places far beyond its native range. Official State Tree of Colorado. Nymphs of the pineapple gall adelgid form galls at the base of twigs which resemble miniature pineapples and those of the Cooley's spruce gall adelgid cause cone-shaped galls at the tips of branches. An elongated white scale insect, the pine needle scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae), feeds on the needles causing fluffy white patches on the twigs and aphids also suck sap from the needles and may cause them to fall and possibly dieback. Rodika Tchi. Spruce are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (moth and butterfly) species, such as the eastern spruce budworm.They are also used by the larvae of gall adelgids (Adelges species).. Updated 07/11/18. Learn about The Spruce's Editorial Process. Meanwhile, patches of white resin appear on the bark and the branch eventually dies. Source | Reference Links | Additional Resources, Trees with Don Leopold - Colorado (blue) spruce. The Royal Sapphire: King of All Blue Stones A Symbol of Integrity and Wisdom. Parry, and named by George Engelmann in 1879.
blue spruce - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums.

Generally silvery-blue in color, blue spruce has the ability to withstand temperature extremes. [5][6][10] It is also grown for the Christmas tree industry. Canker caused by Cytospora attacks one of the lower branches first and progressively makes its way higher up the tree.

Blue spruce trees are found in the Wasatch and Uinta mountains of Utah at elevations between 6,000 to 11,000 feet (aspens are found in all 29 Utah counties). Source | Reference Links | Additional Resources, Utah State Tree - Blue Spruce: Pioneer: Utah's Online Library. Blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm) is also the state tree of Utah.

The pale brown cones are up to 10 cm (4 in) long. The magnificent Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) is the official state tree of Colorado. Utah designated blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm) as the official state tree in 1933 (replaced by quaking aspen in 2014). In Colorado, it grows in small, scattered groves or singly among ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, alpine fir and Englemann spruce. It is a columnar or conical evergreen conifer with densely growing horizontal branches. School children of the state voted to name blue spruce as the state tree on Arbor Day in 1892, however it was not until 1939 that the Colorado blue spruce was officially adopted as the tree symbol of Colorado. It is native to the Rocky Mountains of the United States. The blue spruce, green spruce, white spruce, Colorado spruce or Colorado blue spruce, with the scientific name Picea pungens, is a species of spruce tree. Various rust diseases also affect the tree causing yellowing of the needles as well as needle fall. blue spruce General Information; Symbol: PIPU Group: Gymnosperm Family: Pinaceae Duration: Perennial: Growth Habit: Tree: Native Status: CAN I L48 N : Other Common Names: Colorado blue spruce Characteristics: Plant Guide. Blue spruce tree; photo by Michael May on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works).

All State Trees. Blue spruce trees; photo by mdprovost on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works). [8], The blue spruce is the State Tree of Colorado. The larva of the spruce budworm eat the buds and growing shoots while the spruce needle miner hollows out the needles and makes them coalesce in a webbed mass. Mites can also infest the blue spruce, especially in a dry summer, causing yellowing of the oldest needles. Blue spruce is also the state tree symbol of Colorado. It is native to the Rocky Mountains of the United States. [24], From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core, 'Mission Blue' blue spruce new growth in spring, CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, File:2015-05-18 13 01 32 Blue Spruce new growth along Terrace Boulevard in Ewing, New Jersey.jpg, File:Picea pungens 'Glauca globosa' in Autumn.JPG, International Union for Conservation of Nature, "Spruce Beetle Threatens High Country Spruce Forests", Fine Gardening Plant Guide: Picea pungens ‘Glauca Pendula', Conifers.org: Picea pungens (blue spruce) description, https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Blue_spruce&oldid=3860913, Plants used in traditional Native American medicine, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, About Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core, 'Fat Albert' - compact perfect cone to 10 feet (3.0 m) of a silver blue color, 'Glauca Jean's Dilly' - shrub from 3–6 feet (0.91–1.83 m) in height, 'Glauca Pendula' - drooping branches, spreads to about 8 feet (2.4 m) wide by 4 feet (1.2 m) tall. Trees are symbols of the interconnectedness of life and represent the interwoven web of everything magical. School children of the state voted to name blue spruce as the state tree on Arbor Day in 1892, however it was not until 1939 that the Colorado blue spruce was officially adopted as the tree symbol of Colorado.

[9], Picea pungens and its many cultivars are often grown as ornamental trees in gardens and parks. It has scaly grey bark on the trunk with yellowish-brown branches. In traditional medicine, an infusion of the needles is used to treat colds and settle the stomach. Its natural range extends from Colorado to Wyoming but it has been widely introduced elsewhere and is used as an ornamental tree in many places far beyond its native range. [11], Common cultivars (those marked agm have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit):-, The Navajo and Keres Native Americans used this tree as a traditional medicinal plant and a ceremonial item, and twigs are given as gifts to bring good fortune. Sometimes called the silver spruce, the Colorado blue spruce ranges in color from green to blue to silver. All Free. Blue Spruce, Green Spruce, White Spruce, Colorado Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce: Plant Type: Spruce tree: Mature Size: In the wild, it can grow up to 75 feet. Utah's First Official State Tree. Blue spruce trees can be transplanted successfully and are widely used as ornamental trees.

Blue spruce trees; photo by mdprovost on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works). [5], The blue spruce is attacked by two species of Adelges, an aphid-like insect that causes galls to form. It often first attacks trees which have blown over by the wind and when the larvae mature two years afterwards, a major outbreak occurs and vast numbers of beetles attack nearby standing trees.

[4][5][6][7], The specific epithet pungens means "sharply pointed", referring to the leaves.