PINACEAE 
White Spruce 
Picea canadensis (Mill.) BSP. [Picea alba Link] 
HABIT.—A tree 50-60 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 
1-2 feet; forming a rather broad, open, pyramidal crown. 
LEAVES.—Spirally arranged, but crowded on the upper 
side of the branches by the twisting of those on the under side; 
awl-shaped, 4-sided, incurved; dark blue-green; about 34 inch 
long; ill-scented when bruised. Persistent for several years. 
FLOWERS.—April-May ; monoecious; the staminate oblong- 
cylindrical, long-stalked, 14-34 inch long, composed of many 
spirally arranged, red anthers; the pistillate oblong-cylindrical, 
composed of broad, reddish scales (subtended by orbicular 
bracts) spirally arranged upon a central axis. 
FRUIT.—Autumn or early winter of first season, falling 
soon after discharging the seeds; pendent, slender, oblong- 
cylindrical, nearly sessile cones, 1-2 inches long; seeds about % 
inch long, with large wings oblique at the apex. 
WINTER-BUDS.—Broadly ovoid, obtuse, light brown, %-%4 
inch long. 
BARK.—Twigs smooth, gray-green, becoming orange-brown, 
finally dark gray-brown; thin, light gray-brown on the trunk, 
separating into thin, plate-like scales. 
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, straight-grained, light yellow, 
with sapwood of the same color. 
DISTRIBUTION.—Common in the northern half of the 
Lower Peninsula and throughout the Upper Peninsula. 
HABITAT.—tow, damp woods; banks of streams; borders 
of lakes; high rocky or sandy slopes; loves the cold winters. 
NOTES.—A vigorous and beautiful tree in regions suffi- 
ciently cold. 
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