Blue spruce: Difference between revisions
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===Uses=== |
===Uses=== |
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the blue spruce is a tree we use it to burn to keep warm when camping. "i hate the blue spruce." said sen. cliton |
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[[Image:Picea pungens tree.jpg|thumb|left|Blue Spruce planted in a park]] |
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Blue Spruce is one of the most popular [[garden]] conifers, grown for its strongly glaucous foliage. Numerous [[cultivar]]s selected for particularly bright blue foliage have been selected by the [[horticulture|horticultural]] trade, some of them also slow-growing dwarf forms suitable for planting in small gardens. It is also sometimes used as a [[Christmas tree]], though the very sharp needles make it a poor choice for families with children. |
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Blue Spruce is the [[List of U.S. state trees|State Tree]] of Colorado (where it is commonly known as Colorado Spruce) and Utah. |
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The [[National Christmas Tree]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] is a Blue Spruce planted on the [[President's Park#President's Park South (Ellipse)|Ellipse]] in 1978. |
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Blue Spruce trees are often used by homeowners and [[landscape architect]]s for [[home security]] purposes. The sharp needles may deter unauthorized persons from entering private properties, and may prevent break-ins if planted under windows and near drainpipes. The aesthetic characteristics of the Blue Spruce, in conjunction with its home security qualities, makes it a considerable alternative to artificial [[fence]]s and [[wall]]s.<ref>Home Security Guru: [http://www.homesecurityguru.com/colorado-spruce Colorado Spruce]</ref> <br clear=left> |
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==References and external links== |
==References and external links== |
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Revision as of 17:13, 11 February 2008
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| Species: | P. pungens
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| Picea pungens | |
Picea pungens (Blue Spruce or Colorado Spruce) is a species of spruce native to western North America, from southeast Idaho and southwest Wyoming, south through Utah and Colorado to Arizona and New Mexico. It grows at high altitudes from 1,750-3,000 m altitude, though unlike Engelmann Spruce in the same area, it does not reach the alpine tree-line. It is most commonly found growing along streamsides in mountain valleys, where moisture levels in the soil are greater than the often low rainfall in the area would suggest.[1][2][3]
It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to 25-30 m tall, exceptionally to 46 m tall, and with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 m. The bark is thin and scaly, flaking off in small circular plates 5-10 cm across. The crown is conic in young trees, becoming cylindric in older trees. The shoots are stout, orange-brown, usually glabrous, and with prominent pulvini. The leaves are needle-like, 15-30 mm long, stout, rhombic in cross-section, dull gray-green to bright glaucous blue (very variable from tree to tree in wild populations), with several lines of stomata; the tip is viciously sharp.[1][2][4]
The cones are pendulous, slender cylindrical, 6-11 cm long and 2 cm broad when closed, opening to 4 cm broad. They have thin, flexible scales 20-24 mm long, with a wavy margin. They are reddish to violet, maturing pale brown 5-7 months after pollination. The seeds are black, 3-4 mm long, with a slender, 10-13 mm long pale brown wing.[1][2]
Blue Spruce does not normally hybridize with other spruces, though hybrids with Engelmann Spruce have been found very rarely.[2]
Uses
the blue spruce is a tree we use it to burn to keep warm when camping. "i hate the blue spruce." said sen. cliton
References and external links
- ^ a b c Farjon, A. (1990). Pinaceae. Drawings and Descriptions of the Genera. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3-87429-298-3.
- ^ a b c d Flora of North America: Picea pungens
- ^ Template:IUCN2006
- ^ Gymnosperm Database: Picea pungens