Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
Blue spruce (also called Colorado spruce) is a very common landscape tree in Southern WI. Needles have a blueish hue, are short (~1″), very rigid, and prickly. Cones are 2-4″ in long and just over 1″ wide. Blue spruce has a more dense pyramidal growth habit than most other spruce species. Native to the Rocky Mountains, blue spruce is prone to several fungal diseases in the more hot/humid weather of Southern WI.
Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Native to Northern and Central Europe, this spruce species has been heavily used in the landscape as an ornamental or windbreak. Needles are a glossy green, 1/2-1″ long and grow on stems that begin to droop as the tree gets older. Cones are cylindrical in shape and 4-6″ long.
White Spruce (Picea glauca)
Another commonly used landscape tree. This spruce is native to the upper latitudes of North America. Tends to grow more in a tall, narrow form that is less dense than either Norway or Blue Spruce. Needles are pale or dull green and .5-.75″ long. Cones are 1-2.5″ long and .5-.75″ wide.