Coniferous tree, type species of the genus Spruce (Picea) of the Pine family (Pinaceae).
An evergreen woody plant up to 30 m high (occasionally up to 50 m). The crown is in the form of a cone, formed by drooping or outstretched branches located whorled. The root system is superficial. The bark is gray, peeling off in thin plates. The tetrahedral needles (leaves), arranged in a spiral, sit one at a time on leaf pads.
The length of the needles is from 1 to 2.5 cm. The lifespan of each needle is six or more years. Mature cones are oblong - up to 15 cm long and 4 cm wide.
Lives 250-300 years, occasionally 400-500 years. The annual growth is 50 cm in height and 15 cm in width. Up to 10-15 years it grows slowly, then quickly.
Shade-tolerant, at a young age it can suffer from spring sunburn. Prefers fresh, well-drained acidic, sandy and loamy soils, does not tolerate stagnant water, salinity and dry soil. Tolerates excessive flowing moisture. It goes well with fir, pine, birch, maple, ash, angustifolia and other shrubs.