Native only to the Rocky Mountains states, the blue spruce is one of our
most beautiful evergreens and has been planted widely throughout Iowa for
ornamental use. It is a hardy tree with compact, dense foliage and a slow
growth rate.
Needles are single, very stiff and sharp pointed, angular or four-sided, 1 to 1-1/4 inches long, with a bluish color especially distinct on the new growth.
Cones are light brown and cylindrical, very sharp and 2-1/2 to4-1/2 inches long.
The bark is silvery gray-brown and composed of many thin scales divided into vertical ridges.
Colorado blue spruce grow 75 to 100 feet tall. They make good winter cover
for wildlife.
[Tree Identification Homepage] - [ISUForestry Extension] - [ISU Extension]