Black Hills Spruce (Picea glauca var. densata)
$40.00
Category: Trees | Evergreens | Windbreak | Wildlife | Bird Habitat | Dry Site | Mesic Site | Erosion Control | GreatPlants for the Great Plains
The Black Hills Spruce (Picea glauca var. densata) is a dense, cold-hardy evergreen that originates from an isolated population of White Spruce in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This unique origin contributes to its compact form, exceptional toughness, and reliability across Great Plains landscapes.
Closely related to White Spruce, Black Hills Spruce shares many of the same strengths while maintaining a denser branching habit, making it an excellent choice for windbreaks, screening, and year-round structure. It features small cones and short needles that vary from bright green to bluish green in color, giving it a classic evergreen appearance that also makes it a popular Christmas tree selection.
Adaptable and resilient, this spruce thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, tolerating dry conditions, wind exposure, and cold winters once established. Its dense growth provides valuable shelter and nesting habitat for birds and wildlife, while its strong root system supports erosion control in challenging sites.
NATIVE RANGE
Black Hills Spruce is a variety of White Spruce.
Map courtesy of the USDA-NRCS Plant Database.
Larger sizes available for local customers.
Check availability here.
Additional information
| Scientific Name | Picea glauca var. densata |
|---|---|
| Height | 35-45' |
| Spread | 25-35' |
| Foliage | Blue-green |
| Native To | |
| Zone | 2 |
