Black spruce

Picea mariana

Foliage Type:

needle like

Arrangement:

single

Distinguishing features: leaves - 1/4" to 1/2" long, 4-sided, sessile (without petiole) upon conspicuous peglike projections from twig leaves - spirally arranged around twig, or massed towards the upper surface leaves - flattened and laterally compressed; can be rolled between fingers leaves - dull blue-green, blunt-pointed cones - pendent, 3/4" to 1 & 1/2" long cones persistent for many years, forming large clusters twigs and buds somewhat hairy (pubescent)

Habitats:	mesic sites wet mesic sites wet sites
Often confused with:	White spruce Balsam fir
Ecological Value:	cones eaten by squirrels, chipmunks and birds nesting habitat for birds and squirrels
Did You Know?	Black spruce help mark the northern limit of tree growth in North America is a pioneer plant on muskegs do not make exceptional Christmas trees (needles fall out when dry)
Uses / Ethnobotanical uses:	American Indians poulticed inner bark on inflammations inner-bark tea used for kidney stones, stomach problems, rheumatism. resin poulticed on sores to promote healing needles used to make a beer that was drunk for scurvy sawdust, balsam (resin) and even needles may produce dermatitis pulp for paper sounding boards in pianos, interior finishing and boat building tannin & "burgundy pitch" used in varnishes & medicinal compounds turpentine inner bark ground and added to flour (in desperate times of food) Spruce beer is made from fermented leaves and twigs (boiled with honey) landscaping