Life History and Disturbance Response of Picea glauca (White Spruce)
Family: Pinaceae
Guild: opportunistic, long-lived, intermediate shade tolerance
Functional Lifeform: medium to tall evergreen conifer
Ecological Role: This hardy tree grows on a wide variety sites across northern North America.
Lifespan, yrs (typical/max): 100-250/300+
Shade Tolerance: intermediate
Height, m: 15-30m
Canopy Tree: yes
Pollination Agent: wind
Seeding, yrs (begins/optimal/declines): 4-12/30
Mast Frequency, yrs: 2-12
New Cohorts Source: seeds or sprouts
Flowering Dates: late spring
Flowers/Cones Damaged by Frost: frost hardy
Seedfall Begins: early fall
Seed Banking: 1-2 yrs
Cold Stratification Required: no
Seed Type/Dispersal Distance/Agent: winged/>200m/wind
Season of Germination: late spring-summer
Seedling Rooting System: variable
Sprouting: layering, root cuttings
Establishment Seedbed Preferences:
Substrate: variable
Light: variable
Moisture: moist required
Temperature: neutral
Disturbance Response:
Fire: White spruce is easily killed by fire due to its thin bark and usually shallow roots. In addition white spruce seeds are often killed by fire because they have little to no endosperm to protect themselves.
Weather:
Air Pollution:
Exotics: