P ICEA Ornamental trees grown for their evergreen foliage and regular pyramidal habit.
Many species are valuable timber trees.
Spruces are evergreens, are usually tall trees, sometimes dwarfed in horticultural varieties with spreading whorled branches. Almost all are hardy North, but they do not resist heat and drought well. Some recently introduced Chinese species grow better in drier climates than most others. 38 species in the colder and temperate climates of the northern hemisphere from the arctic circle to the high mountains of the temperate regions. For ornamental park planting the spruces belong to the most valuable evergreens on account of the symmetrical habit and rapid growth of most species.