Contents
Spruce and pine are quite common plants in the countries of the former CIS, however, some people sometimes find it difficult to determine to which genus this or that coniferous tree belongs. Meanwhile, to figure out how spruce differs from pine is not so difficult.
Differences in the places of growth of pine and spruce
Although, at first glance, it may seem that pine and spruce have practically no differences, but in fact this is far from the truth. Indeed, these conifers have a number of common features, since they belong to the same family and class of plants, but there are not so many of them as is commonly believed, but there are much more differences.
Thus, Scotch pine grows mainly in regions of the temperate climate zone, which are characterized by cold and wet weather conditions. It is widespread in the northern regions of Our Country, the USA and Canada. Periodically, the plant can be found in the south of Mongolia and China.
European spruce partially shares the territory with pine, however, unlike the latter, it belongs to more heat-loving crops. In addition to the central zone of Our Country, Canada and the United States, its habitat also includes some countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
What is the difference between a Christmas tree and a pine
However, the places of growth are not the only difference between these breeds of conifers. They also have many differences in appearance: the shape of the crown, the general appearance of the cones, the color of the bark. All these features can be seen even with the naked eye, if you know what you need to pay attention to.
Pine and spruce size
As a rule, the difference in height between pine and spruce is not too noticeable. Scotch pine reaches an average of 25 – 40 m, which is approximately equal to the size of spruce, which grows up to 30 m. True, unlike pine, the size of spruce has a great variability. So, among the representatives of this breed there are both relatively low specimens – up to 15 m tall, and real giants of 50 m and above.
Much more interesting is the height at which the needles of these plants are located. So, in a pine, the crown begins at a distance equal to approximately half of the entire length of the trunk, while spruce needles begin to grow almost above the ground itself.
Pine and spruce cone size
Differences between plants are also manifested in the structure of pine and spruce cones. In both breeds, the cones are divided into male and female, but outwardly they are very different from each other.
Male pine cones are small in size, comparable to the stone of a sweet cherry, they have a yellowish color. Female inflorescences can be difficult to notice, as they are even smaller and located at the end of the pine whorl.
Female fir cones, on the contrary, are many times larger than male ones: they can be easily recognized by their bright red color. They are also placed at the tips of the branches, only they are in the upper part of the crown. But male spruce cones cannot boast of a bright color and large sizes.
Shape of pine and spruce needles
The needles of spruce and pine also have significant differences. One of the differences between these tree species is associated with the period of needle change.
So, many people are used to thinking that evergreens retain their leaf blades throughout the year. In the case of spruce, this is partly true. The needles of this tree fall off gradually, being replaced by new needles every 7-12 years.
But the pine, surprisingly, like deciduous trees, sheds most of the needles by autumn. As a result, pine needles can completely change within 1 – 2 years.
Differences between pine and spruce are also observed in the length of the needles. On closer examination, the leaf plates of spruce have the shape of a tetrahedron, the size of which varies from 2 to 3 cm. In addition, forming a whorl, they are attached to the branches one by one.
Pine needles, unlike spruce needles, have a smoother structure and taper towards the end. On the branches, they are arranged in pairs, and reach a length of 4-6 cm.
Coloring needles of pine and spruce
Even the color of the needles of the plants in question is different. Spruce needles are characterized by a rich dark green color that does not change during the entire life span of the leaf blades. Pine needles are dominated by lighter shades of green. In addition, it, unlike spruce needles, tends to turn yellow closer to autumn, while acquiring a copper color.
Life span of pine and spruce needles
The life expectancy of these conifers also differs. It is believed that the average age of pine is about 300 – 350 years, while spruce lives a little less – 207 – 300 years.
However, both breeds have their longevity, which is several hundred times the expected age threshold. So, in Sweden there is a spruce, nicknamed “Old Tikko”, the root system of which is at least 9550 years old. And in the United States, in Inyo County, a pine tree was discovered, the age of which approached the mark of 5000 years.
The root system of spruce and pine
In addition to their appearance, pine and spruce have other differences. In particular, we can talk about the features of the root systems of these trees.
Pine has a tap root system. It is very powerful and has many branches that diverge to the sides from a thick taproot. Due to this structure, the plant is very unpretentious to the ground and can grow almost anywhere. In particular, this is facilitated by the main root, which lies to a great depth and provides the tree with moisture even on sandy and clay soils.
Spruce also has a tap root system, but, unlike pine, the main load falls on the lateral roots, since the main root atrophies when the tree reaches 10 years of age. The lateral processes of the rhizome are able to supply the plant with the necessary substances for survival, but they are located closer to the surface of the earth than the roots of the pine. For this reason, it is not uncommon to see spruce littered under strong winds.
Common signs of Christmas trees and pines
Despite the obvious differences, it’s easy to see why some people are confused when it comes to comparing pine and spruce. These trees do share some similarities that make it difficult to identify them:
- Both plants belong to the Pine family, Coniferous class.
- Cones of both breeds, for all their differences, have a common feature: during the period of ovary they are located vertically on the branches, and during ripening they acquire a horizontal position, as if leaning towards the ground.
- Pine and spruce needles also have common features. In both trees, leaf plates are represented by narrow needles, which, moreover, have a similar color.
- Both tree species produce volatile compounds that have antibacterial properties.
- These plants can be considered trees of the first magnitude, since they exceed 20 m in height.
- The wood of these conifers is valuable for construction and industry.
- Needles, bark, resin and other parts of these coniferous species are actively used in medicine and cosmetology.
Which is better – pine or spruce
The main differences between pine and spruce give uniqueness to these tree species and distinguish them from other representatives of the flora. Both plants perfectly cope with the decorative function and are able to please the eye throughout the year. It is difficult to say which of them is better suited for decorating a park area or a personal plot: it depends on the goals that growers set for themselves and on their own preferences.
But no matter what the choice is based on, you should pay close attention to the recommendations for caring for these trees, since certain differences can be traced in agricultural practices.
Features of caring for spruce and pine
Since these conifers have enough differences, it is reasonable to assume that the requirements for caring for them will also differ. Basically, this is manifested in the irrigation regime and the choice of a tree planting site.
As mentioned above, pine is unpretentious in soils and easily adapts to life in rocky or wetlands and in other places not rich in fertile soils. It tolerates arid conditions well, is frost-resistant, it is not afraid of winds and heavy rainfall. However, for all its stamina and vitality, the tree grows with difficulty in areas where there is a lack of sunlight. Therefore, when choosing a seat for a plant, preference should be given to well-lit areas where there is no shadow at all.
Spruce is no less hardy and also undemanding in terms of soil quality. It has an enviable frost resistance, and, unlike pine, feels good even in places with extensive shade. A key condition for the well-being of this breed is competent watering. When growing spruce in your area, it is extremely important to ensure that the soil under it is not too wet or too dry. Otherwise, it will begin to wither rapidly, and its root system will become vulnerable to diseases and pests.
If the basic conditions are met, then both representatives of the conifers will not be infected and will serve as decorative decorations of the landscape for many years.
What does a pine tree and a Christmas tree look like: photo
Having studied the features of spruce and pine, you can easily distinguish these two tree species in the photo.
European spruce:
Scotch pine:
Conclusion
Having figured out how spruce differs from pine and what are the features of these species, you can correctly provide the conditions for growing these beautiful trees with high decorative properties on your land.
