Spruce

Spruce is a type of tree belonging to the genus Picea, which is part of the family Pinaceae. This genus consists of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees found in the northern temperate and boreal (taiga) regions of the earth.

Description

Spruces are large trees, from about 20–60 (–95) m tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and conical form. The needles, or leaves, of spruce trees are attached singly to the branches in a spiral fashion, each needle on a small peg-like structure. The cones are pendulous, slender cylindrical cones 5–30 cm long and 1–5 cm broad, with thin, flexible scales.

Species

There are about 35 species of spruce in the world. Some of the most well-known species include the Norway Spruce (Picea abies), the White Spruce (Picea glauca), and the Blue Spruce (Picea pungens).

Uses

Spruce wood is used for many purposes, ranging from general construction work and crates to highly specialized uses in wooden aircraft. The Wright brothers' first aircraft, the Flyer, was built of spruce. Because this species has no insect or decay resistance qualities after logging, it is generally recommended for construction purposes as indoor use only (ex. indoor drywall framing). Spruce wood, when left outside cannot be expected to last more than 12–18 months depending on the type of climate it is exposed to.

See also

• Pine
• Fir
• Conifer

References

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