Skunk Spruce Picea laxa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Picea alba
- Picea canadensis
- Picea glauca
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-see-uh LACK-sah
- Description
-
An evergreen conifer having a broad, dense pyramidal form when young, becoming narrow, compact and symmetrical with ascending branches with age. It grows in cool climates, cannot tolerate hot, humid summers. Air circulation is important to rid the dense foliage of excess moisture. Its needles have been described as 'skunky' or smell similar to cat urine when crushed.
Its seed cones are pendulous, slender, and cylindrical. They have thin, flexible scales with a smoothly rounded margin. They start our green or reddish, turning brown 4 to 8 months after pollination.
The short soft needles, pyramidal form, and stiff branches make it an excellent candidate for a Christmas tree.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: There are no serious insect or disease issues. It is sometimes effected by needle and stem rust, canker, trunk and root rot. Insects that can have an effect include yellow-headed spruce sawfly, spruce budworm, and eastern spruce beetle. Multiple infestations of mites, which is common, can seriously injure the plant. Does not perform well in an area affected by pollution or salt spray but it is one of the most tolerant spruces for wind, heat, cold, drought, and crowding.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Blue Wonder'
- 'Coerulea'
Short blue-green needles, narrow form.
'Conica'
- 'Densata'
Slower growing, have denser, darker green foliage. - 'Echiniformis'
Low, bun-shaped, slow-growing, suitable for rock gardens - 'Elegans Compacta'
- 'Jean's Dilly'
Similar to 'Conica', considered superior for it slower-growth rate and shorter needles that emerge with an unusual twist. - 'Laurin'
Dwarf, dense, conical shrub to 6 ft.; needles green. - 'Pendula'
Weeping plant with stiff handing branches gray-green needles - 'Pixie'
Similiar to 'Conica' with a more compact and dense form - 'Rainbow's End'
Similair to 'Cornica' with early summer growth emerging a creamy yellow. Old growth is light green. Appearance is variegated. - 'Sander's Blue'
Broad conical form with light green needles. - 'Blue Wonder'
- 'Blue Wonder', 'Coerulea', 'Conica', 'Densata', 'Echiniformis', 'Elegans Compacta', 'Jean's Dilly', 'Laurin', 'Pendula', 'Pixie', 'Rainbow's End', 'Sander's Blue'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Wonder'
- 'Coerulea'
Short blue-green needles, narrow form.
'Conica'
- 'Densata'
Slower growing, have denser, darker green foliage. - 'Echiniformis'
Low, bun-shaped, slow-growing, suitable for rock gardens - 'Elegans Compacta'
- 'Jean's Dilly'
Similar to 'Conica', considered superior for it slower-growth rate and shorter needles that emerge with an unusual twist. - 'Laurin'
Dwarf, dense, conical shrub to 6 ft.; needles green. - 'Pendula'
Weeping plant with stiff handing branches gray-green needles - 'Pixie'
Similiar to 'Conica' with a more compact and dense form - 'Rainbow's End'
Similair to 'Cornica' with early summer growth emerging a creamy yellow. Old growth is light green. Appearance is variegated. - 'Sander's Blue'
Broad conical form with light green needles. - 'Blue Wonder'
- 'Blue Wonder', 'Coerulea', 'Conica', 'Densata', 'Echiniformis', 'Elegans Compacta', 'Jean's Dilly', 'Laurin', 'Pendula', 'Pixie', 'Rainbow's End', 'Sander's Blue'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Picea
- Species:
- laxa
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- This wood is used to build house logs, musical instruments, and paddles. In addition, it is often used in construction as pulpwood and lumber.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Leaf Cutting
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada, northern United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer, rabbits and grouse browse the foliage in winter
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Pieces Used in Games
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-2.5" cones that are green in youth and pale brown when mature
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Simple
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 4-sided pale green to glaucous green needles. Blue-green above with several thin lines of stomata and Blue-white below with two broad bands of stomata.
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Bark:
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Bark Description:
- Thin and scaly, flaking off in small circular plates 2 to 4" across
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Wind
