How to Tell Engelmann Spruce and Blue Spruce Apart
Characteristic Engelmann Spruce Blue Spruce Picea engelmannii Picea pungens
Bark - Mature bark scales appear Mature bark scales Mature trees larger, looser, and more look hard and tend to randomly arranged. Scales be oriented in vertical are gray, but underbark is rows or ridges. Mature purplish or reddish-brown. bark is brown to gray.
Bark - Bark on young trees is light Bark on young trees has Saplings gray, sometimes with a flaky reddish-brown yellowish tinge. It may be scales. nearly smooth or have fine textured scales.
Form - Form is wider, and top may Form is often very Mature trees flatten with age. Branches narrow, and typically are angled. retain a pointed top into old age. Branches often stick almost straight out.
Form - Branches look less stiff, Branches are stiff, and Saplings rarely form planes, and nearly at right angles to give a softer appearance. trunk. Appearance of bristliness.
Color Not reliable, as variations Not reliable, as variations exist within species. exist within species.
Twigs Needles and pegs are more Needles and pegs are acutely angled to twig. Look at right angles to twig. and feel is softer. Look and feel is bristly.
Needles Base of needles and twig has Needles and twigs are small hairs (best seen with a smooth, no hairs. Tip is hand lens on current growth). sharper. Tip is duller.
Cones Cones are shorter, usually Cones are longer, under 2" in length. Cone usually over 3" in length. scales are generally duller. Cone scales are generally bright.
When an individual character is ambiguous, looking at several characteristics should be decisive.
partially based on an approach by John Jones and Nelson Bernard (1977)
|