Picea pungens (Colorado Blue Spruce or Blue Spruce) is a species of spruce native to western North America, from southeast Idaho and southwest Wyoming, south through Utah and Colorado to Arizona and New Mexico. It grows at high altitudes from 1,750-3,000 m altitude, though unlike Engelmann Spruce in the same area, it does not reach the alpine tree-line. It is most commonly found growing along streamsides in mountain valleys, where moisture levels in the soil are greater than the often low rainfall in the area would suggest.
In the news
- What’s going on with blue spruce? / A combination of factors is likely causing the decline of blue spruce trees throughout Michigan, MSU Extension
It seems that everywhere you look you see Colorado blue spruce is showing needle loss, dead branches, browning foliage and even large trees dying across Michigan’s landscapes (Photo 1). This article looks at the likely combination of factors causing this decline.
Wikipedia: Picea pungens
