The white spruce is rarely planted around here. The species has tons of cultivars but most are dwarf versions of the dwarf Alberta spruce.
Leaves are needle-like, 1/2" to 3/4" long, stiff, blue-green upper surface and white lower surface. Can be flattened on the stem or radiating around the stem in a circle.
Cones are small, 1-1/2" - 2-1/2" long, narrow, light brown, with rounded entire scale tips. Lots of pitch is common, so don't put them in your pocket.
You are more likely to see something like this in the landscape, where the plant reverted to the large normal form. I think the newer cultivars are more stable.
This is one where King runs into Mission. You can barely see the original dwarf foliage at the bottom.
There are lots of issues with this plant in the landscape, the most common one is an aphid that created a gall at the tip of the stem. This gall dies and looks sort of like a cone.
There are wonderful dwarfs available and a beautiful weeping form.
Misidentification:
you could easily misidentify these trees, many of the spruces look very similar, especially if you find a few that are not common. In our area, look for short needles, small cigar shaped cones, and bluish colored leaves. And, if you think its a white spruce around here it might not be…..
Location:
Santa Cruz at the cemetery, next to the Hospital
