Ohio Christmas Tree Producers Manual

Bulletin 670

The Spruces (Picea Spp.)

Spruce needles are borne singly along the twigs and are usually relatively short and sharp-pointed. Needle retention on cut trees varies somewhat, but in general is not as good as on pines. Although most species of spruce prefer moist, well drained soils with moderate to good fertility, they will grow on rather sandy soils if there is a favorable water table throughout the growing season. Growth of most species is not as good on poorly drained fine textured clay soils. However, survival and growth are often acceptable on soils that are poorly or somewhat poorly drained because of a seasonally high water table. Spruces often undergo a slow- growing establishment period following planting, after which growth is usually relatively rapid. Therefore, although the basic form of most trees is good, some shearing is needed to produce high quality Christmas trees. As a group, the spruces are subject to spring frost injury if they leaf out early. Low lying sites or "frost pockets" should be avoided when possible.

Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens): Colorado or blue spruce is a native of western United States but is extensively planted as an ornamental and Christmas tree in Ohio (Fig. 7). Needles are generally longer than those of Norway and white spruces and are very sharp-pointed. Although foliage on some trees is a bright bluish color, most nursery run seedlings are green to blue-green. This characteristic is somewhat related to seed source. Generally, trees produced from seed originating in the southern Rocky Mountains of southern Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico are preferred for Christmas trees. Needle retention on cut trees is generally better than that for white and Norway spruces and is almost as good as that of pines. Site requirements are similar to those outlined earlier. However, growth is usually slower than that of Norway and white spruces. Eight to 12 years are needed to produce 6- to 7-foot trees on most sites.

Sawflies, gall aphids, spider mites, white pine weevil, Cytospora canker and Rhizosphaera needlecast are the major pests affecting Colorado spruce.

Norway Spruce (Picea abies): In the past, Norway spruce, a native of Europe, was one of the most widely planted Christmas tree species in Ohio (Fig. 8). Temperatures in most of the state are suitable for its growth, and it is generally easier to establish than any of the other spruces. A rotation of 7 to 11 years is needed to produce 6- to 7-foot trees on relatively good sites. Needle retention on cut Norway spruce is very poor and because of this, sales, and consequently planting, of the species have declined in recent years. To minimize needle drop on cut trees, harvesting should be delayed as long as possible.

Pests particularly destructive to Norway spruce include gall aphids, white pine weevil, spider mites, Cytospora canker and Rhizosphaera needlecast.

Fig. 7: Well-shaped tree (L.) and foliage (above) of Colorado (blue) spruce.	Fig. 8: Well-shaped tree (L.) and foliage (above) of Norway spruce.

White Spruce (Picea glauca): White spruce is native to the northern United States and Canada, although it grows well in Ohio at most latitudes (Fig. 9). Needles are whitish or bluish. Although not as good as for pines, needle retention on cut trees is generally better than for Norway spruce. However, like Norway spruce, harvesting of trees should be delayed as long as possible. Eight to 11 years are required to produce 6 to 7-foot trees on relatively good sites. Gall aphids, spider mites and Rhizospaera needlecast are major pests affecting white spruce.

Fig. 9: Well-shaped tree and foliage of white spruce.

Other Spruces: There are a number of other spruces that have been or could be planted for Christmas trees. Red spruce (Picea rubens) and black spruce (Picea mariana) were used extensively in the past. However, their site requirements are more demanding than those of Norway, white and blue spruce, and red and black spruce are not recommended for general Christmas tree planting in Ohio. Several European and Asiatic spruces have promise for use as Christmas trees in Ohio. Most have not been adequately tested and cannot be recommended for general planting at this time. One species for which information is available is Serbian spruce (Picea omorika). It is a native of southern Europe and has relatively soft needles that are dark green above and bluish below. Branches are limber, often giving trees a drooping appearance. Site requirements are similar to those of Norway spruce. Growth begins later in spring than Norway spruce; thus, Serbian spruce is not as likely to be damaged by late spring frost. Needle retention on cut trees is poor, and rotation length should be similar to those for Norway and white spruces.