White Spruce – Organic

White Spruce, Picea glauca (glauca: bluish or greenish grey). This tree covers almost all of Canada’s forested territory, with the exception of the Pacific Coast. It is one of the most important species for the pulp, paper and lumber industries. It is used among other things for building materials and for the manufacture of packing boxes, pallets and plywood. Its acoustical qualities in make it a good material for use in the manufacture of violins, pianos and guitars.

Its size can reach up to about 30 meters high and 5 meters wide. Its shape is usually pyramidal, with a conical crown. Its horizontal or descending branches wear greenish, very fragrant bluish needles and when crushed smell of camphor. The White Spruce’s cones are light brown and measure 4 to 6 cm long. The tree’s bark is light grey, thin and smooth, but becomes scaly and dark grey over time. White Spruce is notable for its adaptability to rocky terrain where the organic layer is very thin. It is particularly well adapted to loamy, moist or well-drained soils. The oldest specimens can live up to 200 years.

In the context of climate change, an increase in temperature and precipitation in the North would stimulate the reproduction of White Spruce.

White Spruce provides food and shelter to several wildlife species. Its abundant seeds are an important source of food for birds and small mammals. Every two years to six years, the White Spruce produces an abundant harvest of cones that generate more seeds than can be consumed by the local animals, which promotes the reproduction of this essential tree.