Does Picea rubens produce showy flowers?

No. Like other spruces, Red Spruce produces small, inconspicuous male and female cone structures rather than showy flowers, with pollen typically released in late spring.

What kind of site does Red Spruce need to thrive?

It does best on cool, moist, well drained sites, often at higher elevations, and holds up well in full sun once established.

Is Red Spruce a fast growing tree?

Growth is slow to moderate, especially in youth, with trees often taking many decades to reach full height.

Can Red Spruce handle occasional dry spells?

It tolerates brief dry periods but performs best with steady, medium to high soil moisture rather than prolonged drought.

Is Red Spruce toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Red Spruce as toxic to livestock.

Is Red Spruce HOA-friendly?

Red Spruce is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Red Spruce

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Picea rubens

Last reviewed: September 2026

Red spruce is an evergreen conifer of cool, high elevation forests in the Appalachians and New England, valued for dense green needles and steady growth in full sun with consistently moist soil.

Toxicity unknown

Red Spruce (Picea rubens) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Red Spruce as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

60"–240" H × 20"–40" W

Bloom

N/A

Native to

CT, MA, MD, ME and 9 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Forests Northern Piedmont Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Red spruce is a tall, narrow evergreen tree native to cooler forest regions. It forms a classic Christmas tree shape with dense, dark green needles and can reach impressive heights over time. This slow-growing conifer provides year-round structure and is well-adapted to cooler, moister conditions.

Growing Red Spruce

Grow Red Spruce in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 60 to 240 inches tall and spread 20 to 40 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Red Spruce is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 5 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Eventual large size requires adequate space planning

Wildlife value

Red spruce provides nesting sites and shelter for birds, while its seeds feed various wildlife including squirrels and birds. The dense evergreen foliage offers valuable winter cover for many species.

Common questions

Does Picea rubens produce showy flowers?: No. Like other spruces, Red Spruce produces small, inconspicuous male and female cone structures rather than showy flowers, with pollen typically released in late spring.
What kind of site does Red Spruce need to thrive?: It does best on cool, moist, well drained sites, often at higher elevations, and holds up well in full sun once established.
Is Red Spruce a fast growing tree?: Growth is slow to moderate, especially in youth, with trees often taking many decades to reach full height.
Can Red Spruce handle occasional dry spells?: It tolerates brief dry periods but performs best with steady, medium to high soil moisture rather than prolonged drought.
Is Red Spruce toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Red Spruce as toxic to livestock.
Is Red Spruce HOA-friendly?: Red Spruce is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Red Spruce? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz