

Specific epithet both are in reference to the fact that mature needles of this tree become glaucous (acquire a waxy white bloom) with age. Genus name is reportedly derived from the Latin word pix meaning pitch in reference to the sticky resin typically found in spruce bark. Its fruits are slender cones that are 2' in length. Needles have a glaucous, white waxy coating, hence the specific epithet and common name. The needles are pungently aromatic when crushed. It has pale bluish needles when young, dark bluish-green when mature on small woody pegs that have sharp tips. Cylindrical pale brown cones (to 2.5" long) have flexible scales. The bark is dark gray or gray-brown and scaly. Needles have a glaucous (white waxy coating) bloom, hence the specific epithet and common name. Needles are pungently aromatic when crushed. Blue-green needles (to 3/4") on small woody pegs have sharp tips. It diminishes in size to low, shrubby forms near tree line in northern Canada. This tree typically grows 60-80' tall (less frequently to 140' tall) with a cone-shaped crown. Picea glauca, commonly called white spruce, is an extremely hardy evergreen conifer that is native to upland areas and lake/stream margins stretching from Alaska across the boreal forest of Canada to Newfoundland, dipping south to Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and New York.
