Black Hills Spruce
Picea laxa (PY-see-uh LACK-sah)
An evergreen conifer having a broad, dense pyramidal form when young, becoming narrow, compact and symmetrical with ascending branches with age. It grows in cool climates, cannot tolerate hot, humid summers. Air circulation is important to rid the dense foliage of excess moisture. Its needles have been described as 'skunky' or smell similar to cat urine when crushed. Its seed cones are pendulous, slender, and cylindrical. They have thin, flexible scales with a smoothly rounded margin. They start our green or reddish, turning brown 4 to 8 months after pollination. The short soft needles, pyramidal form, and stiff branches make it an excellent candidate for a Christmas tree. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: There are no serious insect or disease issues. It is sometimes effected by needle and stem rust, canker, trunk and root rot. Insects that can have an effect include yellow-headed spruce sawfly, spruce budworm, and eastern spruce beetle. Multiple infestations of mites, which is common, can seriously injure the plant. Does not perform well in an area affected by pollution or salt spray but it is one of the most tolerant spruces for wind, heat, cold, drought, and crowding.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 49 attributes.