Spruce Pine Seedlings
The Spruce pine tree, whose scientific name is Pinus Glabra (pronounced PIE us GLAY bruh), is a native of North America. It belongs to the Family Pinaceae and is listed in the USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 9. Spruce pine seedlings produce a lofty tree that ranges from thirty to sixty-five feet when mature.
Characteristics of the Spruce Pine
Foliage
The fragrant, evergreen leaves of the Spruce Pine are filiform (needle-like) in shape and grow in a spiral arrangement approximately 2 to 4 inches long. The simple leaf of the Spruce Pine seedling or full-grown tree has a parallel vein formation and is deep, glossy green in color. Having no color change in autumn, they add greenery to the outdoors all year.
Flower and Fruit
The Spruce Pine features a light yellow flower that may even go unnoticed. It also produces a cone-shaped fruit that is hard or dry and measures 1 to 3 inches in length and as much as 2.5 inches in diameter. Squirrels and other small animals are attracted to the fruit. The fruit eventually falls to the ground along with the foliage and twigs, providing a natural ground cover and material for nest building.
Trunk and Branches
The trunk of the Spruce Pine tree is pulpy and thick with grooved, chunky bark. The branches of the Spruce Pine generally grow upright and resist drooping and breakage. They tend to develop a strong structure with minimal pruning. The thin twigs are brown. The wood of the Spruce Pine has a 0.44 Wood Specific Gravity.
Management of Spruce Pine
Spruce Pines thrive in acid soil and are not highly recommended for planting in high-pH soil. Unlike many other pine trees, Spruce Pines will flourish in partial shade. Moist, well-drained areas with direct sunlight are also suitable for growing healthy Spruce Pine trees. These seedlings are tough and resilient and can tolerate excessively wet or dry soil better than other pine trees. Humid summers and mild winters provide an excellent environment for growing Spruce Pine seedlings.
Common Uses of Spruce Pine Seedlings/Trees
Spruce Pine seedlings produce highly symmetrical, cone-shaped trees that make exquisitely beautiful Christmas trees. The tree's small cones (fruit) are often used to make Christmas ornaments or decorations.
In an outdoor, residential setting, these trees make a great privacy screen or windbreak when planted around the perimeter of a yard. Other common uses of Spruce Pine trees include:
- Planting in medium-to-wide parking lot islands
- Medium-to-wide tree lawns
- Parking lot buffer strips
- Residential area street median planting
- Highway median strip planting
Fun Facts about Spruce Pine Trees
Sturdy pine wood is often used for timber in building homes. With its long, woody fibers, spruce pine wood is used in paper making.
History buffs will appreciate knowing that the first aircraft designed by Wilbur and Orville Wright had Spruce Pinewood in its construction.
