Picea mariana Black Spruce

General

This species is found in a variety of habitats, including bogs, fens, swamps, muskegs, prairies, and high mountain areas. In A Natural History of Trees in Eastern and Central North America, author Donald Peattie says of this species:

"Probably no American tree takes on more curious forms, sculptured by every sort of natural force, so that it would be hard to say what is its normal form, since it were arbitrary to state which of all its strenuous habitats is its true home."

The bog elfin butterfly feeds exclusively on the needles of black spruce during its caterpillar phase.

 

Plant Description

Conical small to medium tree, with height and form varying widely depending on location. It has been found to grow up to 100’ in well-drained soils and to grow in low mats in subalpine and arctic areas. Four-sided needles are short (usually < ½”) and have sharp tips. Twigs and buds are hairy, distinguishing this species from white spruce (Picea glauca). Bark is thin with brown-grey scales. Cones are ½ to 1 ½” long.

Height (ft)
Variable (See above)

Soil moisture
Moist to wet

Soil types
Typically deep organic soils, occasionally fine to coarse mineral soils

Wetland indicator
FACW

Shade tolerance
Full Sun to Full Shade

Bloom color
Pink/Purple

Bloom period
Late Spring

Fall conspicuous
No

Anaerobic tolerance
Low

Drought tolerance
Low

Salinity tolerance
None

Self-Pollinating?
Yes

Range

New England, New Jersey, and the Great Lakes Region.

Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]

Additional Information

According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, the gum has been used as a salve and an infusion of the branch tips used for treating interior afflictions. The roots have been used to sew baskets, in canoe making and in snowshoe making. The branches have been used to make beer and the cone chewed for toothaches. The split wood used to make fish traps and canoes. Needles were being used as flooring in tents.