Dragon Spruce vs Oriental Spruce

Oriental Spruce is a dense, narrow, pyramidal evergreen making it well suited as a landscape tree. Their needles are smaller than other spruce varieties, giving it a distinct appearance. Cones start out purple and then mature into a coppery brown colour. When mature, the branches tend to curve upward, giving it an elegant appearance. Because of its general shape and colour it makes a unique choice for a Christmas tree.

Oriental Spruce does not do well in windy conditions, especially cold, harsh winter winds. For best results, plant in a protected area.

Dragon spruce is a unique looking spruce, as it is more shaggy and irregular than most spruces. They have sharp, stiff needles that are directed forward on the branch and their colour ranges from grey/green to blue/green.

They will grow in nutrient poor soils and can tolerate stronger winds, making them a good choice for providing shelter.

This species has been declining due to deforestation and related human activity in western China, its native range. It has notable genetic diversity for a spruce with a number of unusual growth habit variants. Given the cultural significance of the dragon, this tree should not be underestimated for its beauty or usefulness.

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