Engelmann Spruces are high-altitude trees native to the Coast and Rocky Mountains of British Columbia and Alberta south to Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. They're straight trees (80-195 ft tall) with a spire-like crown.
The four-sided bluish-green needles (1 in long) grow on all sides of the twigs. The light-brown cones (1.5-3 in long) hang down from the branches and have papery scales with a ragged outer edge. The reddish to purplish-brown bark is loose and scaly.
Engelmann Spruces continue to grow at a steady rate for 300 years, long after other trees have slowed down. Well-established trees are often 250-450 years old and trees have been known to reach 760-850 years.
Did you know? Sounding boards for violins, pianos, and guitars are often made with wood from Engelmann Spruces.
See Also: Balsam Fir, Common Juniper, Douglas-fir, Jack Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Spruce, Tamarack, Western Hemlock, Western Larch, Western Redcedar, Whitebark Pine
