Common Spruce Trees In Michigan (4 Types To Know)
Michigan’s vast forests and natural beauty are home to various tree species, including the well-known spruce trees. However, not everyone knows about the different types of spruce trees that thrive in Michigan’s climate.
In this article, we will provide you with a brief overview of the commonly seen spruce trees in Michigan. From the tall and slender Norway spruce to the hardy and adaptable white spruce, we will explore each spruce species’ unique characteristics and growing conditions.
So, let’s dive into the fascinating world of spruce trees in Michigan.
1. Black Spruce
- Common Name: Black Spruce
- Scientific Name: Picea mariana
- Mature Height: 25-50 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Lavender to purple cones.
- Uses: Spruce gum, manufacturing paper, winter decors.
Among all the spruce trees in Michigan, Black spruce is the most common one across the state. It is a medium-sized tree that has a narrow pyramid shape, many dead lower branches, and is widely spread, drooping above branches. It can reach a height of 25-50 feet.
Single needles are 14 to 1 inch long, thickly set along the twig, and dull blue-green on the Black Spruce. The needles are square in cross-section and straight with blunt tips. The Black Spruce cones are lavender to purple in hue and turn brown when mature. They are egg-shaped and hang from the branches, measuring 12 to 12 inches long.
This tree is usually found in wet or poorly drained soils, bogs, and peat bogs, either alone or in association with Tamarack. The Black Spruce is native to Michigan and can be found throughout the Upper and Northern Lower Peninsulas.
Another interesting fact about Black Spruce trees is that their cones are typically located near the tree’s crown. They grow in the fall but rarely open, remaining on the tree for up to 15 years. The heat from the fire opens the cones, releasing countless seeds. This species can live for up to 200 years but is only 50 feet tall.
They used to collect the golden-colored pitch that accumulated on wounds and sell it as spruce gum. Furthermore, the long fibers in the wood make it suitable for manufacturing paper, and the treetops are widely utilized in planters for decoration in the winter. Overall, the Black Spruce is a fascinating and vital tree in the environment of Michigan!
2. White Spruce
- Common Name: White Spruce
- Scientific Name: Picea glauca
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet (12-18 m)
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Green cones that turn brown when mature.
- Uses: No specific uses.
The Skunk Spruce, sometimes known as White Spruce, is a widespread tree in Michigan. It can reach a height of 40-60 feet and has a single straight trunk with several horizontal branches that sometimes slope down. It has a ragged and conical crown.
The needles of the tree are 13-34% “Long (.8-2 cm), stiff, sharp, and square in cross-section. They are bluish-green with a yellowish hue and a line of white dots on all sides. When crushed, they emit a pungent odor that some associate with skunk. The bark of the tree is light gray with many flaking scales, while the inner bark is salmon pink.
The cones of the White Spruce tree are green when young and turn brown as they mature. They can grow individually or in clusters on branches and are 1-212 smooth to the touch “(2.5-6 cm) long.
This tree grows naturally in Michigan, usually in soils that are not as wet as Black Spruce soils, and is frequently found on the banks of lakes and streams, as well as in pure stands. It is vulnerable to fire and the Spruce Budworm, a caterpillar that consumes fresh needles. Lower branches die and fall off, resulting in a straight trunk devoid of branches.
If you stumble across White Spruce trees in Michigan, you can identify it by its pale needles and powerful odor.
3. Colorado Blue Spruce
- Common Name: Colorado Spruce, Blue Spruce, Silver Spruce
- Scientific Name: Picea pungens
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet (12-18 meters)
- Native/Non-Native: Non-native
- Flowers/Cones: Straw-colored cones
- Uses: Christmas trees, landscaping
Colorado Blue Spruce trees are one of the most commonly seen nonnative spruce trees in Michigan. It’s a type of evergreen tree that can grow pretty tall, up to 60 feet.
The tree is pyramid-shaped, with lower branches that frequently touch the ground. Its needles are solitary, rigid, and have a sharp point at the end. They have a square cross shape and can range in hue from bluish-green to silver blue.
The bark of the tree is grayish brown and flaky while young, but as it ages, it turns reddish brown and heavily furrowed.
The Colorado Spruce produces straw-colored cones that are 2-4 inches long. They can be seen in groups or hanging down on their own. This tree is not native to Michigan and was brought here from the Rocky Mountains of western North America, including Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. It has been around for roughly 150-200 years, with some living up to 600 years in the West! The tree may thrive in a range of soil conditions, but it likes moist, well-drained soil.
The Colorado Spruce is a popular Christmas and landscaping tree. It can be found in neighborhoods, cities, parks, and along roads. However, this tree is prone to a few diseases that might harm it, such as Spruce Budworm and needle fungus.
It’s also susceptible to cytospora canker, a disease that can infiltrate stressed trees, causing branch loss and, finally, death. As a result, despite its beauty, it is not as widely planted as it formerly was. Colorado spruce is also known as Blue spruce and Silver spruce. The scientific name for Picea pungens comes from the Latin word for “sharp-pointed,” which is a great way to describe the tree’s needles!
4. Norway Spruce
- Common Name: Norway Spruce
- Scientific Name: Picea abies
- Mature Height: 50-70 feet (15-21 meters)
- Native/Non-Native: Non-native
- Flowers/Cones: Papery straw brown cones
- Uses: Windbreaks, used in varnishes
The Norway spruce, scientifically known as Picea abies, is a type of commonly found spruce trees in Michigan that is nonnative to the state.
It can reach 50-70 feet in height, with a pyramid shape and a single trunk. It has a lovely aspect because its branches droop or weep.
This tree has solitary needles that measure 12-1 inch in length. They have a square cross-section and are slightly curled, rigid, and pointed. They have a nice scent when crushed. The needles possess a rich blue-green tint.
The Norway spruce has the largest cones of any spruce. They are reddish-gray in color and contain numerous spherical scales. The papery, straw-brown cones hang from the branches and measure 2-7 inches in length.
The Norway spruce is a non-native species that arrived in the United States from Europe and Asia around 150-200 years ago. It grows well in rich, moist soils and is common throughout Michigan, where it is used as a windbreak in parks, cemeteries, and yards.
Among all the common spruce trees in Michigan, this variety is the fastest-growing and tallest. It was one of the first trees utilized in North American reforestation. The bark on the twigs is orange, and on short branches, it turns reddish-brown. Burgundy pitch is produced by the trunk and has been utilized in varnishes and medicine. This tree is also available in a variety of horticultural variations.
Spruce Trees In Michigan – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section answers some of the most common questions and concerns about spruce trees in Michigan.
Are spruce trees common in Michigan?
Spruce trees are common in Michigan. Michigan has a diverse forest ecosystem that includes a variety of trees, including spruce trees. The White Spruce and Black Spruce are the two most common spruce tree species in Michigan. These trees can be found in northern Michigan, particularly in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
Are blue spruce trees native to Michigan?
Blue Spruce is a spruce tree native to the Rocky Mountains of western North America, including Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. While Blue Spruce trees can be found as ornamental trees in Michigan, they are not native to the state and were most likely introduced through cultivation. Native spruce trees in Michigan include only White Spruce (Picea glauca) and Black Spruce (Picea mariana).
What are the uses of spruce trees in Michigan?
Spruce trees have a wide range of applications, including construction timber, pulp for paper production, wood for musical instruments, and Christmas trees. They are also used to make essential oils and are a popular choice in landscaping due to their appealing appearance. Furthermore, spruce trees provide essential wildlife habitats. While some spruce species, such as the White and Black Spruce, are native to Michigan, others, such as the Blue Spruce, are not. Spruce trees are a valuable natural resource with practical and aesthetic applications in various industries.
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Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Book – Michigan Trees A Guide to the Trees of the Great Lakes Region
- Book – Field Manual of Michigan Flora
- Book – Trees Of Michigan Field Guide
- Michigan’s Forests, Department of Natural Resources
- Michigan Botanical Society
- LSA Herbarium, University Of Michigan
- Department Of Forestry, Michigan State University
- Michigan Nature Association
