White spruce and Engelmann spruce grow throughout B.C.’s interior east of the Coast Range. In areas where their ranges overlap, they interbreed and are referred to as interior spruce. White spruce can grow to 40 metres and Engelmann spruce to 50 metres.
White spruce and Engelmann spruce are part of the spruce-pine-fir (SPF) species group. The wood of the two trees cannot be differentiated visually and there are very minor differences in the properties. Spruce has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is well known for its working properties.
As part of the SPF species group, their kiln-dried lumber is used as a structural framing material. Both species are also used for specialty products including musical instruments.
Where it grows
White spruce and its hybrids grow throughout B.C.’s interior. While it is found in the south, white spruce is more prevalent in northern regions where it often is more common than poplar and pine in burned areas. It usually grows in pure stands but is a major component of mixed stands, generally with trembling aspen, white birch, balsam fir, tamarack, black spruce, jack pine, lodgepole pine, subalpine fir and Douglas-fir.
Engelmann spruce is found at high elevations and grows best on deep, rich soils with adequate moisture. It is found in pure stands but is more frequently in mixed stands—with subalpine fir in areas with long, cold winters and short, cool summers, and with lodgepole pine in drier areas.
Engelmann spruce and white spruce interbreed in areas where their ranges overlap and are referred to as interior spruce. The pure species of white spruce is generally only found north of Dawson Creek.
Did you know?
Engelmann spruce and white spruce are found in B.C.’s interior east of the Coast Range. Engelmann spruce has been successfully introduced into high-elevation plantations on the west side of the Coast Range and on Vancouver Island.
Identifiable characteristics
White spruce is a medium-sized tree with a fairly even conical crown and branches that often extend to the ground. It can grow to 40 metres with a diameter of one metre. The bark is loose, scaly and greyish-brown. The needles are four-sided, sharp and stiff and are arranged spirally on the twigs. They are whitish-green and foul-smelling when young but become more pleasant smelling with age. Seed cones are light brown to purplish and hang from the upper branches. The seed scales have a smooth, rounded outer edge. Pollen cones are pale red. White spruce can live close to 300 years.
Engelmann spruce is a medium- to large-sized tree that is straight and can reach 50 metres tall and one metre in diameter. Branches near the ground tend to droop. The bark is loose, scaly and reddish-brown to grey. The needles are four-sided and sharp but not particularly stiff. They are deep bluish-green with two white bands on both the upper and lower surfaces. The needles are arranged in all directions on the twigs. Seed cones are yellow to purplish brown and hang from the upper branches. Their papery seed scales are tapered at both ends and have a ragged outer edge. Pollen cones are usually yellow to purplish-brown. Engelmann spruce trees can often live more than 600 years.
Did you know?
Wildfires are a major factor in re-establishing white spruce stands. Without the fires, more shade-tolerant black spruce would become a dominant species.
