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Hybrid White Spruce

Picea glauca x engelmannii

White Spruce

APPEARANCE

The hybrid white spruce is a mixture of white spruce and Engelmann spruce. It grows up to 40 metres tall and has large branches and a narrow top. The needles are square and pointy and the cones are smooth and purplish. The bark is scaly and grey-brown.

RANGE & HABITAT

This tree is found throughout the central interior of B.C.

LIFE CYCLE

The seeds start sprouting from May to the end of August. These trees can live for over 100 years.

ANIMAL USES

Squirrels collect the cones to store for winter food.

TRADITIONAL USES BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The young trees are used to make snowshoes and bows. The sap of the tree can be used for glue for arrowheads and bows, and wound dressings. The bark is used for making baskets, pots, and trays, and the roots provide the material for coiled and woven baskets and sewing.

OTHER USES

The wood is used for lumber, especially in construction and musical instruments.

STATUS

COSEWIC: Not at Risk
CDC: Yellow

MORE INFORMATION

www.bcadventure.com

Photo: homeredwardprice