Red Spruce
Picea rubens
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
Derivative: Rhododendrites Original photographs: Gary Peeples/USFWS
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Genus:
- Picea
- Species:
- Picea rubens
- USDA Symbol:
- PIRU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Black zigzag (Panthea acronyctoides), black-dashed hydriomena moth (Hydriomena divisaria), Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), Coleotechnites ducharmei, common idia (Idia aemula), Conifer swift (Korscheltellus gracilis), Eastern blackheaded budworm (Acleris variana), Eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana), Endothenia albolineana, Eupithecia albicapitata, Eupithecia annulata, Eupithecia fletcherata, European spruce needleminer (Epinotia nanana), False hemlock looper (Nepytia canosaria), gray spruce looper (Caripeta divisata), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Larch Pug (Eupithecia lariciata), Porcelain Gray (Protoboarmia porcelaria), Red-banded leafroller (Argyrotaenia velutinana), spruce needleminer (Coleotechnites piceaella), Syngrapha rectangula, Variable Climbing Cutworm (Xestia elimata), variegated midget (Elaphria versicolor), 🛑Bog Elfin (Incisalia lanoraieensis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Notes:
- Thin bark and shallow roots make red spruce highly susceptible to fire damage; typically killed by even low-intensity fires.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained, acidic loam
- pH:
- 4.0 - 5.5 (strongly acidic to moderately acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers cool, humid environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for optimal germination. Cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.
Notes: Seeds require light for germination; do not cover.
Source: Claude AI