Picea meyeri, commonly known as Meyer’s Spruce, is an evergreen tree native to the high-altitude forest regions of northern and central China, including Nei Mongol, Gansu, Shanxi, Hebei, and Shaanxi provinces. It is a medium to large conifer that can grow up to 98 feet tall with a trunk diameter of up to 3 feet. Meyer’s Spruce has a conical form with a straight trunk and a uniform, pyramidal shape. The branches bear bluish-green needle-like leaves, which are arranged radially around the shoots, giving the tree a full, dense appearance. The shoots are yellowish-brown, and the tree produces cones that are cylindrically shaped, adding to its ornamental value. The tree is particularly noted for its striking foliage color and its resistance to disease, making it a favored alternative to the Blue Spruce in areas where the latter is susceptible to illness.

Meyer’s Spruce is valued for its hardiness and adaptability, thriving in a range of soil types, though it prefers moist, well-drained soils. It is tolerant of cold climates and can be used in urban environments, large gardens, and parks as a specimen tree or for creating privacy screens and windbreaks. In cultivation, it requires full sun to light shade and regular watering, especially in dry conditions. While it is not commonly afflicted by serious disease or pest issues, it can occasionally suffer from spruce needle cast or be infested by aphids. Gardeners should be aware that, like many spruces, it may not tolerate pollution or salt spray well.CC BY-SA 4.0