Species PlantsRed Spruce

Red Spruce

Picea rubens

CommonPlant
Illustration of Red Spruce (Picea rubens)

Red Spruce is the signature conifer of the high Appalachians, forming dense boreal forest islands atop the highest peaks from Maine to North Carolina. It suffered severe decline in the 1980s from acid rain but has recovered somewhat with air quality improvements. The endangered Bicknell's thrush breeds almost exclusively in red spruce forests above 3,000 feet.

Habitat
High Appalachian peaks and northern New England conifer forests
Diet
Seeds eaten by crossbills and red squirrels; habitat for Bicknell's thrush
How common
Common

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