Picea rubens
Picea rubens
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Pl. 053F — Picea rubens
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IOverview
Overview
Picea rubens, commonly known as red spruce, is a coniferous tree native to the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. This member of the Pinaceae family thrives in moist, well-drained soils and requires full sun for optimal growth. Red spruce can grow up to 30 meters tall and is often found in habitats such as Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ontario, Quebec, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. The tree is known for its edible parts, including flowers, inner bark, leaves, seeds, and shoots, making it a valuable resource in certain contexts. One distinctive feature of Picea rubens is its preference for soil with a pH ranging from 4 to 5.8, which helps ensure its survival in specific environments.
Quick answers
What is Picea rubens?
Picea rubens, commonly known as red spruce, is a coniferous tree native to the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. This member of the Pinaceae family thrives in moist, well-drained soils and requires full sun for optimal growth.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Picea rubens thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-draining soils that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 6-7, making it suitable for temperate regions. The tree grows up to 30 meters tall and is native to northeastern North America. For cultivation, ensure the soil pH ranges from 4 to 5.8. Harvest edible parts such as flowers, inner bark, leaves, seeds, and shoots during appropriate seasons.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
6-7
Habit
Tree
Mature size
30.0 m tall
Soil pH
4–5.8
For first-time growers
How to grow Picea rubens for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Picea rubens in a suitable location for a rewarding beginner project.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young saplings, garden gloves, spade, watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Picea rubens in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure soil is well-draining with a pH between 4-5.8; amend as needed for your local conditions.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young saplings or sow seeds in early spring, covering them lightly with soil.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged; avoid direct sunlight for a few days after planting.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun and regular watering, especially during dry spells. Mulch around the base to retain moisture.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune young trees in late winter to shape them; harvest inner bark for medicinal use only if needed.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun without acclimation, neglecting mulching, and not providing enough space for growth.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersInner barkLeavesSeedShoots
Edible uses: Gum, Tea
Other uses:Weaving materialFiberGumPitchLumber
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
20 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
20 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 20 native
Broader regions
native:Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Masachusettes, Nova Scotia, Virginia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 053f63df-5f1e-49ff-88a7-aabbda5a4431
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