Needle retention is better than some of other spruce species. White spruce has one of the largest ranges of any North American conifer. It can be found from Newfoundland to Alaska and southward to the United States in New England and the Lake States. It occurs from sea level to 5600 ft. in elevation. A total of over 30 cultivated varieties of white spruce have been identified.
Most propagation is by seed, although both rooting and grafting has been successful.
Vegetative propagation by rooting or grafting has been used to increase the number of plants of rarer forms. Its primary uses have been for pulpwood, lumber, furniture, and boxes and crates. More elegant uses include sounding boards for pianos and violins. The tough, pliable roots were once used by Indians to lace birchbark canoes and to make woven baskets. White spruce is important as a source of food for grouse and seed eating birds.