#minh40

Picea mariana (Black Spruce)

Plant community: N/A

Native region/country: South to PA, east from MN, North to ME.  Also, AK.  

Mature size:   40-50 feet high.  8-12 feet spread.  

Habitat and/or preferred growing conditions:  Grows in well-drained soils, but grows best on those that are moist and acidic.  Grows in full sun to part shade.

Hardiness zone: 3-5

Leaf/flower color:   Leaves are evergreen, four-sided needles, stiff, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, light blue-green in color.   Species is monoecious. Males are red, turning yellow to light brown and females are purple, upright, and in the upper crowns. Fruit are ovoid cones (1 inch long).  

Does it burn?: Yes

Burn Quality: Poor.  Low heat , easy to burn, hard to split, medium smoke, many sparks.  Weight of seasoned cord (lbs): 2,482.  Heat produced per cord (M BTU): 15.9.

Sources:

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PIMA

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=104

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Picea+mariana

https://www.chiefrivernursery.com/store/Black-Spruce-Seedlings.html

http://mb-soft.com/juca/print/firewood.html