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Black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.
Pinaceae

Evergreen coniferous tree.

Height: Usually less than 12 m, but may reach up to 18 m. In forests, trunk is straight and without branches for most of its length, with narrow crown of clustered branches. In open areas, trees are stunted and irregular in appearance.

Twigs: Light reddish brown, densely covered with short hairs. Covered with peg-like leaf bases when devoid of leaves.

Buds: Somewhat sharp pointed and hairy. Outer scales are long-pointed ad extend beyond tip of terminal bud.

Bark: Reddish brown to gray, scaly.

Leaves: Needle-shaped, stiff, somewhat sharp pointed. Four-sided in cross-section, shiny, bluish green, 0.5-2 cm long. Leaves spirally arranged on twiug, but not usually twisted to upper side. Appear more crowded on twig than on White Spruce.

Flowers: Small, separate sexes on same tree. Male flowers about 1 cm long, purplish red, appear yellow when shedding pollen. Mostly in clusters at base of previous year’s twigs. Female flowers about 1 cm long at flowering time, rosy red, erect, solitary or in pairs at ends of branches. Blooms in June.

Fruit: Pendany, compact, ovate cones, 2-3 cm long, purplish at first, then dark reddish brown when mature. Scales are firm and difficult to crush, rough-edged, rounded. Bracts very small. Winged seeds shed gradually through first winter but cones may remain for many years.

Habitat: Throughout Newfoundland and north to about 57 degrees latitude in Labrador. Most abundant tree in Labrador. Occurs mainly on poorly drained soils and wet, boggy sites.

Source: Native Trees and Shrubs
of Newfoundland and Labrador
By A. Glen Ryan

Used with permission from
Parks and Natural Areas Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 1995