Black Spruce
Last updated by Larix813 on 3/16/2019 10:58:27 PM
Black Spruce
Picea mariana
The Black Spruce survives by growing where no other tree can: floating peat bogs. It is found in the bogs and marshes almost alone except for the occasional Tamarack. The acidic, low oxygen, saturated soil would kill most any other tree, but the black spruce thrives there. It is usually stunted by its conditions, but these same conditions can cause it to live for a long time, safe from most any wildlfire. It is often mishapen or missing branches (often times shaped sort of like a palm tree in a way.) It can be found throughout the BWCA and distinguished from the White Spruce by shorter needles and smaller cones.
For more information, check out the USDA profile of the species here.
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