Common Spruce Tree Ranges in North America

Spruce refers to trees of the genus Picea. They are found in the northern temperate and boreal (taiga) regions of North America. I include ranges of six species that are commonly found and have some silvicultural interest.

Spruces can be distinguished from firs by their down-hanging cones. Fir cones stand upward and on top of branches. Fir cones disintegrate on the tree while spruce cones fall to the ground. Fir needles are rather flat and two-ranked along branches while spruce needles are whorled around the branches.