Picea
A genus of conifers vital for timber, paper, and cultural uses.
Picea is a genus of coniferous evergreen trees in the family Pinaceae, comprising about 37 species found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Spruces are a major source of timber for construction and pulp for paper, and are used for the soundboards of stringed instruments, Christmas trees, and basket weaving by Native Americans.
- field
- Botany
- known_for
- Timber, paper pulp, Christmas trees, and soundboards for stringed instruments
- species_count
- 37
- maximum_height
- Up to 100 m (Picea sitchensis)
Lore & Background
Spruces are distinguished from other Pinaceae by their four-sided needles attached singly to persistent peg-like structures (pulvini) on the twigs, and by their cones, which have leaflike bracts that are later covered by seed scales. The structure of cone scales is the most useful feature for identifying species. Spruces are resinous, monoecious, and typically have a straight trunk, with mature heights ranging from 10–20 m in smaller species up to 100 m in Picea sitchensis.
Reader's Guide
Spruces have significant economic and cultural importance. They are a major producer of timber for construction and pulp for paper, and are the standard material for the soundboards of stringed instruments like acoustic guitars. The Norway spruce is widely used for Christmas trees. Native Americans use the roots of some species for weaving baskets. Pests of spruce forestry include green spruce aphid, eastern spruce budworm, European spruce bark beetle, and great spruce bark beetle. The scientific name derives from Latin 'pix', meaning pitch, obtained from the resin of Picea abies. The English word 'spruce' comes from Middle English 'spruse', originally denoting goods imported from Prussia.
Did You Know?
- Spruces can be distinguished from other Pinaceae by their four-sided needles attached singly to persistent peg-like structures (pulvini) on the twigs.
- The scientific name Picea derives from Latin 'pix', meaning pitch, obtained from the resin of Picea abies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Picea?
Picea is a genus of evergreen coniferous trees in the family Pinaceae, encompassing roughly 37 recognized species. They are native to the cool temperate and boreal zones across the Northern Hemisphere.
What are Picea's powers or role?
Spruces supply a major share of the world's timber for construction and the pulp used in papermaking, and their resonant wood is the go-to material for soundboards in stringed instruments. They also carry deep cultural roles, from Christmas trees to Native American basket weaving.
Why is Picea important?
Beyond their economic weight in forestry and manufacturing, spruces underpin boreal ecosystems and provide habitat across vast northern landscapes. Their wood's unique acoustic properties make them virtually irreplaceable in luthiery for violins, cellos, and pianos.
What is Picea's maximum height?
The record-holder within the genus is Picea sitchensis, the Sitka spruce, which can tower up to about 100 meters. That makes it one of the tallest conifer species on Earth.
More in Conifers 1-23
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