BLACK SPRUCE
Picea mariana

• The Black Spruce is also known as Bog Spruce, Eastern Spruce, Shortleaf Black Spruce, Swamp Spruce
• "Mariana" is derived from Maryland; the man who named the tree felt that Maryland was the epitome of North America

• The Black Spruce is a small, shrubby tree
• Branches of the Black Spruce are short and sparse
• Lower branches drooping in older trees
• A "crow's nest" is often formed by clustered uppermost branches

• The Black Spruce is found in the northern part of British Columbia
• Low to medium elevations except in the southernmost parts of the region
• The Black Spruce can survive in cold, nutrient poor sites
• The Black Spruce can survive in poorly drained areas such as bogs and swamps

• The Black Spruce grows up to 20 metres in height
• Is 25 cm in diameter

• Seed cones - small (less than 3 cm), purplish; can hang on tree for several years
• Pollen cones - dark red

• 4 sided
• Short and stiff
• Blue-green
• Arranged in all directions along the twig or pointed upwards

• the bark of the Black Spruce is thin, scaly
• Dark greenish-brown, grey

• Long fibres good for pulp

• Modern - pulp for paper products such as facial tissues
• Traditional - wood: fish traps, snowshoe frames, drying racks; pitch/resin: chewed for pleasure, powdered on wounds