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Engelmann
Spruce
Common
Name(s):
Engelmann Spruce
Scientific
Name:
Picea
engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.
Scientific
Name Synonyms:
None known
Symbol:
PIEN
Description:
Life Span: Perennial
Origin:
Native
Season: Evergreen
Growth Characteristics:
Engelmann
spruce is a large tree, averaging 30 inches in diameter and 90 feet
in height. The crown in pyramidal, with the top somewhat rounded
and limbs extending to near the ground. Branches are in whorls.
At very high elevations, the crown becomes distorted or the whole
tree may be low and shrubby in appearance (Krumholz). The trees
grow rather slowly, reaching mature size in about 150 years, but
may live 400 or more years.
Flowers/Inflorescence:
Both
male and female cones are separate, but on the same tree. The male
cones are small and dark purple in color. The female (seed) cones
cluster near tree tops and are about 2 inches long, light brown,
with papery thin flexible cone scales. The scale tips are wedge-shaped
to rounded, with wavy or eroded margins. Cones are all pendulous
(hang downward) on the twigs and mature in one season.
Fruits/Seeds:
Seeds are small, about 1/8 inch long, nearly black in color with
½ inch terminal wings.
Leaves: Needle-like,
about 1 inch long, blue-green in color, stiff, sharp-pointed, and
square in cross-section. They arise spirally from the twigs, with
those on the bottom side tending to grow upward. Buds are small,
up to ¼ inch in length and pale brown in color.
Stems: Twigs
are stout, rather shiny, and orange-brown in color. They are covered
with peg-like projections (called sterigmata) or leaf bases after
leaves have fallen. This causes the twig to feel and appear rough.
New growth is sometimes covered with fine short hairs that are visible
with a magnifying lens. The bark is thin, seldom exceeding ½
inch in thickness. The surface is comprised of loosely attached
red-brown scales that are generally scattered and not divided into
ridges and furrows. The wood is good quality, very light in weight,
soft, straight grained, and yellowish in color.
Ecological
Adaptations:
Engelmann
spruce is found in some of the highest and coldest forest environments
in the western United States, characterized by long, cold winters
with heavy snowpack and short, cool summers. It extends down to
lower elevations along stream bottoms where cold air flows down
the valley and collects in localized frost pockets. Generally found
on moist and cool sites, but at timberline it may occur on somewhat
dry sites. At middle elevations, pure stands are usually found on
alluvial terraces, wet benches, bottomlands, slopes with seeps or
cold north or east aspects. It occurs on all aspects at timberline,
and grows in clumps called tree islands.
Stands of Engelmann spruce will establish themselves under other
forest types such as aspen or lodgepole pine because it is shade
tolerant.
Soils: Does
best in deep, rich, moist soils.
Associated Species:
Subalpine
fir, white fir, Douglas fir, limber
pine, bristlecone pine, and lodgepole
pine.
Uses and
Management:
Engelmann
spruce has been and continues to be an important lumber source in
Utah. Since it is found most abundantly at high elevations, it is
rather difficult to harvest. In addition to saw timber, this species
is used considerably for poles, railroad ties, and mine props. In
the past, some has been used for fuel. Many stands have been decimated
by the spruce bark beetle in recent years.
Engelmann spruce has no value as a forage species, but the seeds
are eaten by several species of small mammals and birds. It does
provide excellent hiding and thermal cover for deer, elk, moose,
bighorn sheep, and bear.
Native Americans used Engelmann spruce for numerous purposes. The
bark was often peeled into sheets and used for making canoes, baskets,
and roofing. The fibrous roots were used to make rope, and the boughs
and needles to make incense, body scents, and cleansing agents.
Various teas and poultices were made from Engelmann spruce for medicinal
purposes. Native Americans occasionally ate the inner bark.
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