Description
There are so many identifying features on Picea pungens it is hard to choose the best or easiest ones. Cones will always be the best way to identify a conifer but in the absence of those look for the stiff, sharp radiating needles, orange-brown stem and rosette buds. The only other species you may confuse this with is Picea glauca but its needles are shorter and not as sharp.
Preview
Image Source
Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com
Image Creation Date
2-19-2014
Keywords
Pinaceae, tree, conifer, cone, needle, evergreen, Picea pungens, Colorado spruce, blue spruce