coniferous tree of the genus Picea of the
pine family, found over much of the northern
hemisphere. Pyramidal in shape, spruces have
rigid, prickly needles and drooping, leathery
cones. Some are important forestry trees,
such as sitka spruce Picea sitchensis, native
to W North America, and the Norway spruce
Picea abies, now planted widely in North
America.