Picea

Picea - New Zealand’s Best Spruce Trees

Growing colourful trees in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space
• They attract birds and bees
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced
• They can provide shelter and screening
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have the largest variety of Picea trees and the right one for your space. Our Spruce trees have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Picea trees, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Picea

1. What is the English name for Picea?

The common English name for Picea is spruce. There are about 35 species of spruce trees, found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the Earth. Spruce trees are large evergreens with needle-like leaves and conical crowns. They are important timber trees and are also used for Christmas trees.

Here are some of the most common spruce trees and their English names:

• Picea abies: Norway spruce or European spruce
• Picea glauca: White spruce
• Picea mariana: Black spruce
• Picea pungens: Blue spruce
• Picea sitchensis: Sitka spruce

2. What is the lifespan of a Picea?

The lifespan of a Picea depends on the species of spruce and the growing conditions. In general, spruce trees are long-lived, with some species living for hundreds or even thousands of years.

Here are some examples of the lifespans of different spruce species:

• Picea abies (Norway spruce): 200-300 years, with some individuals living up to 500 years or more
• Picea glauca (white spruce): 100-250 years, with some individuals living up to 350 years or more
• Picea mariana (black spruce): 100-200 years, with some individuals living up to 300 years or more
• Picea pungens (blue spruce): 50-100 years, with some individuals living up to 150 years or more
• Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce): 300-700 years, with some individuals living up to 1,000 years or more

The growing conditions can also affect the lifespan of a spruce tree. Spruce trees that grow in favorable conditions, such as well-drained soil and full sun, will typically live longer than trees that grow in poor conditions, such as poor soil or shade.

3. Is Picea a Christmas tree?

Yes, some Picea species are popular Christmas trees. The most common spruce Christmas tree is the Norway spruce (Picea abies), which is known for its symmetrical shape, soft needles, and strong fragrance.

Other popular spruce Christmas trees include the white spruce (Picea glauca), which is known for its blue-green needles, and the blue spruce (Picea pungens), which is known for its silvery-blue needles.

Spruce trees are a popular choice for Christmas trees because they are relatively easy to care for and can last for several weeks indoors. They are also a good choice for people who are allergic to other types of Christmas trees, such as pine or fir.

4. How big do Picea grow?

The size of a Picea tree depends on the species and growing conditions. In general, spruce trees are large trees, with some species reaching heights of over 90 metres.

Here are some examples of the maximum heights of different spruce species:

• Picea abies (Norway spruce): 130-200 feet (40-60 meters)
• Picea glauca (white spruce): 100-160 feet (30-50 meters)
• Picea mariana (black spruce): 60-100 feet (20-30 meters)
• Picea pungens (blue spruce): 80-100 feet (20-30 meters)
• Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce): 250-300 feet (70-90 meters)

5. Is a Picea a spruce?

Picea is the scientific name for the genus of spruce trees. Spruce trees are coniferous evergreens with needle-like leaves and conical crowns. They are found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the Earth and are important timber trees and Christmas trees.

6. Is Picea an evergreen?

Picea is an evergreen plant. This waxy coating helps to conserve water during the cold winters when soil water is frozen and not available for the trees to use.

7. How often do you water a Picea?

The frequency of watering a Picea tree depends on the specific species, the climate, the soil type, and the tree's age. However, as a general rule of thumb, Picea trees should be watered deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Here are some general guidelines for watering Picea trees:

• Newly planted Picea trees: Water deeply once a week for the first two to three weeks after planting. After that, you can reduce the frequency of watering to once every two to three weeks, depending on the weather.
• Mature Picea trees: Generally, only during the hot summer months, you may need to water your Picea tree more frequently, especially if it is planted in sandy soil or if there is a lot of hot, dry weather. However, you should still avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.

8. Why is my Picea turning brown?

There are several reasons why a Picea tree might be turning brown. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Winter burn: This is a common problem for Picea trees in areas with cold winters. The needles turn brown due to desiccation, which occurs when the tree loses more water through transpiration than it can take up through its roots. This is because the ground is frozen, so the roots cannot absorb water.
• Drought stress: Picea trees need regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods. If the tree does not get enough water, the needles will turn brown and drop off. Drought stress is most common in trees that are planted in sandy or shallow soil, or in areas with a lot of hot, dry weather.
• Fungal diseases: There are several fungal diseases that can cause Picea needles to turn brown. These diseases can attack the needles directly, or they can damage the tree's roots, making it difficult for the tree to take up water and nutrients.
• Insect pests: Several insect pests can also cause Picea needles to turn brown. These pests include scale insects and mites.
• Salt damage: Picea trees are sensitive to salt, and exposure to salt can cause the needles to turn brown. This can be a problem for trees that are planted near roads where salt is used to de-ice the pavement, or for trees that are planted near the ocean.