Engleman Spruce

The Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii) is a cold-loving, high-elevation native spruce of western North America, often found in the Rocky Mountains and Cascade ranges. It’s a tall, narrow, and graceful evergreen with soft, bluish-green needles and excellent tolerance for cold, snowy environments.

• Height: 50–130 feet (typically 60–90 feet in landscapes)
• Spread: 15–25 feet
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
• Lifespan: Up to 300+ years in natural settings
• Form: Tall, narrow, pyramidal; somewhat open branching in lower area
• Needles: Short (½–1 inch), soft, bluish-green, with a slightly fruity scent when crushed
• Cones: 1–2.5 inches long, thin and papery, with ragged, toothed scales
• Bark: Thin, gray-brown, scaly
• Wood: Lightweight and strong – used commercially for musical instruments and construction

• Exceptionally cold-hardy and suited to mountainous, snowy areas

• Attractive soft foliage with a bluish tint

• Good for reforestation, wildlife cover, and erosion control on slopes

• Tolerates shade better than many spruces when young