Engelmann Spruce vs Red Spruce - TreeTime.ca

Engelmann Spruce vs Red Spruce

Picea engelmannii

Picea rubens

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Engelmann Spruce
Red Spruce

Engelmann Spruce is a tall, cold resistant tree native to western North America. This high-altitude mountain tree has characteristic loose, scaly bark ranging in colour from reddish-brown to grey.

Birds such as grouse, woodpeckers, nuthatches and thrushes will call this tree home. As Engelmann Spruce can exceed heights of 100 feet, consumers should note it is too large for a normal city lot.

Red Spruce is a long-lived, shade tolerant conifer that grows naturally in eastern Ontario and the Maritime provinces. Hardiest in the eastern regions of Canada, this tree tolerates many soil types, moisture levels, and is low maintenance.

Attractive year-round foliage makes Red Spruce a nice ornamental tree for urban and rural landscapes. If you are considering creating a shelterbelt, privacy screen, or hedge in eastern Canada, this tree is an excellent option.

Engelmann Spruce Quick Facts

Red Spruce Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 30 m (98 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Light: any
Light: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Foliage: blue-green needles
Bark: reddish-brown to black
Cones: red-brown with stiff scales
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC
Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: eastern spruce, he balsam, he-balsam, yellow spruce