Gardening Information about Black Hills Spruce
Black Hills Spruce (Picea glauca var. densata): It is the state tree of South Dakota and the white spruce variety can be found in many areas west of South Dakota as well. This tree normally grows cylinder-shaped cones that are about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long with rounded scales all over them. They are normally tan and grow on the ends of the spruce limbs and cause the limb to hang downward. The needles are pretty sharp and are covering the entire spruce limb and come in a range of colors from dark green to an almost blue tone.
These spruce trees have bark, but most of the time it is hidden from all the needles and branches all around the tree. The bark itself is very thin and seems sort of scaly and has a grey tint to it.
The Black Hills Spruce’s roots are fibrous and they tend to spread very wide, so never plant this tree near foundation of other delicate trees or plants. It normally grows in a pyramid shape up with the fattest part of the tree around its bottom. Some of these spruce varieties are used for Christmas trees during the holiday season, because their scent is so lovely.
If you do choose to plant this wonderful spruce on your property it prefers full sun and partial shade with moist and well-draining soil. This spruce can also survive, when and after it is well establishes in clay soils and lightly graveled soils as well. It is drought tolerant and grows wonderful in Zones 2 through 6.
Its thick branches help to protect small animals from other predators and offer nesting places throughout the tree for birds and even squirrels and other animals.
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