![](https://treecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TOC_Picea-rubens_-cones-needles.jpg)
At a glance
Names
Latin (scientific) name: Picea rubens
Common English name: Red Spruce
Other names: Eastern or Yellow Spruce
French name: Épinette rouge
Type
![conifer tree conifer tree icon](https://treecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/conifer-55x55.png)
Coniferous
Plant Hardiness Zone
3a, 3b
Status
![native to Canada species native to Canada](https://treecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/45x46-tree-icons-0-native.png)
Native
Size at Maturity
Up to 25 meters
Life Expectancy
Medium life expectancy
Where it grows
Plant Hardiness Zone
3a, 3b
Habitat
Maritime provinces and adjacent parts of US
Preferred Soil Type
Moist upland sites in mixed forest
Distribution Across Canada
Maritime provinces
What it looks like
At Maturity
![TOC_Picea rubens_mature tree](https://treecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TOC_Picea-rubens_mature-tree-200x300.jpg)
Tall, slender tree. Branches start well above ground
Bark
![TOC_Picea rubens_trunk](https://treecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TOC_Picea-rubens_trunk-197x300.jpg)
Smooth and pitted when young, deeply furrowed at maturity
Needles
![TOC_Picea rubens_ cones & needles](https://treecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TOC_Picea-rubens_-cones-needles.jpg)
Curved, 1-16 mm, blunt, shiny, and point forward
Bud
![conifer tree conifer tree icon](https://treecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/conifer-55x55.png)
Conical; dark brown
Cone
![TOC_Picea rubens_ cones & needles](https://treecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TOC_Picea-rubens_-cones-needles.jpg)
Seed cones ovoid, 3-5 cm long, dark brown, rounded shape scales.
Other
The Red spruce is the official arboreal emblem of Nova Scotia.
What affects it
Pests
Common diseases
Values and Uses
Edible fruit/nut tree?
No
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