Woody > Picea > Picea glauca > Picea glauca 'Densata'
Picea glauca
'Densata'
Black Hills White Spruce
Origin: This spruce was originally found in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Eastern Wyoming.
Mike's
Opinion
"
A very notable species which does not gain a lot of attention, and therefore is mysterious. Excellent colour and form, being a dull silver green and quite dense. Makes an excellent windbreak due to its dense form and conical shape.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Pinaceae |
| Genus |
| Picea |
| Species |
| glauca |
| Cultivar |
| 'Densata' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 2-8 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 2b-6b |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -40 - -46 C |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -40 - -50 F |
| Height |
| 6-12m |
| Spread |
| 3-5m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Spire-like evergreen, tall and erect with bluish green foliage, more densely branched than other species. Possesses a strong central leader, with a relatively fine texture. |
| Landscape |
| Makes a good windbreak. Excellent species for winter wild life habitat. May be used singly or as a mass planting especially in park like settings. |
| Cultivation |
| Requires full sun, and an adequate amount of moisture, especially in drought periods. Recommended soil pH 4.0-7.5 with a light, loamy, well drained soil. Can grow in partial shade, but will not be as vibrant in colour or dense in form. |
| Shape |
| A tree with pyramidal, dense, compact habit. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| Distinguished by having slower growth, brighter green to blue needles, denser habit, and slightly shorter cones than the species. |
| Pests |
| Common insect pests include spider mite, spruce needle miner, pine needle scale, yellow-headed spruce sawfly, and aphids. |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Very thin but sometimes producing thick plates as the tree matures. Ash brown in colour, scaly or flakey bark. Mature trees have thick scales ranging from 3cm across to 10cm across. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Arrangement of buds is whorled. Bud scales are dark brown with blunt tips; not resinous. Buds are approximately 1cm long. |
| Leaf Description |
| Needles attached individually to sterigmata. Quadrangular in shape, with the needle surface slightly glaucous, with 2 to 3 stomatal lines above, 3 to 4 on lower surface. Needles are 1.5 to 2.5cm in length, and 3mm wide. |
| Flower Description |
| Female strobili are greenish to purple in colour, whereas males are tan to pale red; size ranging from 0.5cm-1.5cm. The plant is monoecious. |
| Fruit Description |
| Cones each 4.5-6cm long; cylindrical with flexible, tight fitting, rounded, smooth edged scales, appearing along the branch. Seeds produced are tan in colour, with a small wing. Cones may persist for up to 2 years, before fading and falling off. |
| Colour Description |
| The needles are a greenish blue colour, with a waxy like bloom; the bark is a light brown colour, fading to grey over time. Cones are light brown to medium brown in colour. |
| Texture Description |
| Creates a soft looking, relatively good windbreak for the garden. Soft colours and needles contribute to this factor, adding grace and style to the garden. |
| Notable Specimens |
| A medium sized tree can be viewed at Fanshawe Gardens, H courtyard, London, Ontario. |
References
H. Richardson Farms, Kendal, Ontario
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