Lot Location: 9.3
Black spruce is a Minnesota-made tree. Its incredible cold hardiness coupled with its ability to withstand growing in cold, moist, even nutrient-poor bogs makes it widely spread throughout the northern half of the state, particularly in uninhabited areas. It has very small 1/2 to 1 1/4 inch egg shaped cones.
Many people mix up black spruce and white spruce. The key differences are black spruce's smaller cones and shorter needles. Black spruce also has a shorter ultimate height than white spruce. It also grows in much moister locations than white spruce can tolerate. Black spruce takes time to grow and is not a fast grower.
Height: 30-50'
Exposure: Sun
Photo credit: Gabriel Short