How to Identify and Classify Spruce Trees
  • 1. What is the genus name for spruce trees?
A) Abies
B) Larix
C) Picea
D) Pinus
  • 2. Spruce needles are typically what shape?
A) Scale-like
B) Flat
C) Round
D) Four-sided (quadrangular)
  • 3. How are spruce needles attached to the twig?
A) Directly to the twig
B) On woody pegs (sterigmata)
C) In bundles
D) With a sheath
  • 4. Spruce cones typically hang in which direction?
A) Upward
B) At an angle
C) Horizontal
D) Downward
  • 5. Which of the following is a key characteristic of spruce cones?
A) They release their scales individually
B) They fall intact from the tree
C) They remain on the tree for many years
D) They disintegrate on the tree
  • 6. What is the color of needles for the blue spruce?
A) Dark green
B) Light green
C) Bluish-green to silvery-blue
D) Yellowish-green
  • 7. The scientific name for blue spruce is?
A) Picea mariana
B) Picea pungens
C) Picea abies
D) Picea rubens
  • 8. Which spruce species is known for its drooping branchlets?
A) Norway Spruce
B) Colorado Blue Spruce
C) Black Spruce
D) White Spruce
  • 9. The scientific name for Norway spruce is?
A) Picea glauca
B) Picea abies
C) Picea sitchensis
D) Picea mariana
  • 10. Which spruce is often found in boggy or swampy areas?
A) Serbian Spruce
B) Black Spruce
C) Red Spruce
D) White Spruce
  • 11. The scientific name for Black spruce is?
A) Picea rubens
B) Picea mariana
C) Picea omorika
D) Picea pungens
  • 12. What is a common characteristic of Red Spruce cones?
A) Bright blue color
B) Reddish-brown color
C) Dark purple color
D) Green color
  • 13. The scientific name for Red spruce is?
A) Picea engelmannii
B) Picea sitchensis
C) Picea abies
D) Picea rubens
  • 14. Which spruce has a strong, unpleasant odor when the needles are crushed?
A) Blue Spruce
B) White Spruce
C) Red Spruce
D) Norway Spruce
  • 15. The scientific name for White spruce is?
A) Picea pungens
B) Picea glauca
C) Picea mariana
D) Picea omorika
  • 16. Which spruce is native to the Pacific Northwest and is the largest spruce species?
A) Red Spruce
B) Engelmann Spruce
C) White Spruce
D) Sitka Spruce
  • 17. The scientific name for Sitka spruce is?
A) Picea mariana
B) Picea sitchensis
C) Picea abies
D) Picea rubens
  • 18. Engelmann Spruce is commonly found in which type of environment?
A) Deserts
B) High elevations
C) Coastal regions
D) Swamps
  • 19. The scientific name for Engelmann spruce is?
A) Picea glauca
B) Picea sitchensis
C) Picea abies
D) Picea engelmannii
  • 20. What is the growth habit of Serbian Spruce?
A) Broad and spreading
B) Rounded
C) Narrow and columnar
D) Weeping
  • 21. The scientific name for Serbian spruce is?
A) Picea abies
B) Picea pungens
C) Picea mariana
D) Picea omorika
  • 22. What does 'glauca' mean in botanical Latin?
A) Bluish-green
B) Black
C) White
D) Reddish
  • 23. What does 'pungens' mean in botanical Latin?
A) Drooping
B) Small
C) Fragrant
D) Sharp-pointed
  • 24. The presence of glaucous (bluish-white) bloom on needles helps identify which tree?
A) Red Spruce
B) White Spruce
C) Blue Spruce
D) Black Spruce
  • 25. Which is not a characteristic that helps identify trees?
A) Cone Type
B) Needle Shape
C) Soil pH
D) Bark Pattern
  • 26. What does 'sterigmata' refer to in spruce identification?
A) Bark ridges
B) Cone scales
C) Woody pegs where needles attach
D) Branchlets
  • 27. Which spruce has needles that are flattened in cross-section?
A) Red Spruce
B) Blue Spruce
C) None, spruce needles are typically 4-sided
D) White Spruce
  • 28. What bark color is commonly associated with mature Black Spruce?
A) Light gray
B) Whitish
C) Bright red
D) Dark gray-brown
  • 29. Which of these spruces is considered more shade-tolerant?
A) White Spruce
B) Red Spruce
C) Sitka Spruce
D) Blue Spruce
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