Mountain Spruce, Engelmann spruce

Picea engelmannii

Physical Characteristics

Picea engelmannii is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Distribution

Western N. America - Alberta and British Columbia to Arizona and New Mexico.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Inner bark Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Tea Young male catkins - raw or cooked. Used as a flavouring[172]. Immature female cones - cooked. The central portion, when roasted, is sweet and syrupy[172]. The cones are about 5cm long[82]. Inner bark - dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread[172]. An emergency food when all else fails. Seed - raw[172]. The seed is about 2 - 4mm long[229] and is too small and fiddly to be worthwhile unless you are desperate[172]. A refreshing tea, rich in vitamin C, can be made from the young shoot tips[172].

Medicinal Uses

Cancer Eczema Pectoral Salve Skin TB Vitamin C An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of respiratory complaints, TB etc[257]. A decoction of the leaves and gum has been used in the treatment of cancer[257]. It was said that if this treatment did not work then nothing would work[257]. The decoction was also used in the treatment of coughs[257]. The ashes of the twigs, mixed with oil, have been used as an ointment or salve on damaged skin[257]. The pitch obtained from the trunk has been used in the treatment of eczema[257].

Known Hazards

None known