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Picea breweriana S. Wats.
Brewer spruce, Weeping spruce
Pinaceae (Pine Family)
USDA Symbol: PIBR
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Large tree crowned with long, slender, horizontal branches ending in ropelike, drooping branches; trunk enlarged and buttressed at the base and tapering above. The most striking characteristic of this spruce is its drooping, almost perpendicular, secondary branches from the slender crown to the base of the trunk. Average height for trees in the wild is 50-75 ft.
The weeping habit serves to reduce breakage of branches by heavy snowfall. Rare even as a cultivated ornamental, this local species is found in five National Forests and a special preserve, the Brewer Spruce Natural Area. It is named for its discoverer, William Henry Brewer (1828-1910), a professor of agriculture at Yale University and co-author of Botany of California.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 72-100 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: RedBloom Time: Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: CA , ORNative Distribution: Endemic to the Klamath-Siskiyou Mts. of s.w. OR & adjacent CA
Native Habitat: Moist, north-facing slopes & canyons; 4000-8000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: A very slow-growing tree, useful in small gardens. Not as easy as other spruces.
Propagation
Description: Cultivation from seed only is important as this is a rare species.Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: 1-3 months stratification improves germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Recommended Species Lists
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View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Picea breweriana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Picea breweriana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Picea breweriana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01Research By: TWC Staff
