Scientific Name
Picea pungens
This tree is native to nearly all elevations in the central Rocky Mountains, though it often occurs as scattered trees rather than in pure stands. It is the state tree of Colorado and also of Utah, where our neighbors — unsurprisingly — call it simply “blue spruce.” The tree grows as a narrow to wide pyramid with branches extending to the ground. In the wild it can reach 180 feet in height, though in urban areas a maximum around 80 feet is more typical. At present, the national champion of the species resides in Utah, a situation that some in Colorado would like to rectify.
Colorado blue spruce has needles distributed all around the twigs, much like a bottle brush. The needles are around 1 inch long and are very stiff and sharp, often curving inward toward the stems’ tips. This tree has been widely planted for decades as an ornamental in urban areas, and some might say it has been overplanted. Many cultivars — mostly grafted — have been developed for landscape use and vary in color, though all show excellent adaptability to growing conditions here.
The bluest types have been the most popular, but trees closer to silvery white are available, and some excellent trees are closer to green. In nature, a gray-green color is most common. The seed cones are usually 2 to 4 inches long and a bit over 1 inch wide. They are relatively soft with papery, overlapping scales that have wavy edges. Spruce cones are not nearly as woody as pine cones and therefore do not last as long after they fall to the ground.
Many people outside of the mountain states aspire to grow Colorado blue spruce but seldom achieve long-term success because the higher humidity and nighttime temperatures can compromise the trees’ health. The beauty of mature blue spruce trees in our region is something visitors from farther east often remark upon.