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IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS
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BLACK SPRUCE
Picea mariana
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RED SPRUCE
Picea rubens
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WHITE SPRUCE
Picea glauea
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| Leaves
Blue-green; dull with bloom; 1/4to 1/2 inch long.
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Leaves
Dark yellow-green; very shiny; 1/2 to 5/8 inch long.
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Leaves
Blue-green to dark green; dull 1/3 to 3/4 inch long; pungent odor when
crushed.
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| Cones
1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long. Cone scales stiff and rigid when ripe; scale
margin irregularly notched. Cones nearly spherical when open. Usually remain
on tree many years.
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Cones
1 1/2 to 2 inches long; widest in the middle; scales stiff, with margin
entire or slightly notched. Generally fall the first year.
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Cones
About 2 inches long; cylindrical. Cone scales flexible at maturity,
margin entire. Usually fall the first year.
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| Twigs
Yellow-brown to brown, with short rusty to black hairs. Some hairs tipped
with globose glands
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Twigs
Reddish to orange-brown, with short rusty to black hairs. Hair tips
lack glands
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Twigs
Light gray to yellowish brown, without hairs.
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Seeds of all spruces is winged. Cones are pendent. Bare twigs
are roughened by persistant leaf bases.
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