- What is another common name for the blue spruce?
A: Green spruce
B: Red spruce
C: Purple spruce
D: Yellow spruce
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The blue spruce is also known as the green spruce. - In which region is the blue spruce native?
A: South America
B: North America
C: Africa
D: Europe
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The blue spruce is native to North America. - What is the scientific name for the blue spruce?
A: Picea pungens
B: Pinus ponderosa
C: Abies balsamea
D: Cedrus libani
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The scientific name for the blue spruce is Picea pungens. - What is the conservation status of the blue spruce?
A: Critically Endangered
B: Vulnerable
C: Least Concern
D: Near Threatened
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The conservation status of the blue spruce is “Least Concern.” - How tall can a blue spruce grow in the wild?
A: 10 meters (33 feet)
B: 23 meters (75 feet)
C: 5 meters (16 feet)
D: 40 meters (131 feet)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In the wild, the blue spruce can grow up to 23 meters (75 feet) tall. - Which color best describes the needles of the blue spruce?
A: Red
B: Blue-green
C: Yellow
D: Pink
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The needles of the blue spruce are noted for their blue-green color. - What kind of tree is the blue spruce?
A: Deciduous
B: Evergreen
C: Palm
D: Fruit
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The blue spruce is an evergreen tree. - How long can the leaves of a blue spruce grow?
A: 1 cm (0.4 inches)
B: 5 cm (2 inches)
C: 3 cm (1 inch)
D: 10 cm (4 inches)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The leaves of a blue spruce can grow up to 3 cm (1 inch) long. - What is the general shape of a blue spruce tree?
A: Spherical
B: Columnar or conical
C: Sprawling
D: Weeping
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The blue spruce is generally columnar or conical in shape. - At what elevation does the blue spruce typically grow?
A: Above 2000 ft (610m)
B: Above 6000 ft (1830m)
C: Above 4000 ft (1220m)
D: Above 8000 ft (2440m)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The blue spruce typically grows at elevations above 6000 ft (1830m). - Which tree species often associates with the blue spruce?
A: Oak
B: Maple
C: Douglas-fir
D: Birch
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The blue spruce often associates with Douglas-fir. - What type of climatic zones does the blue spruce usually grow in?
A: Hot and dry
B: Cold and dry
C: Warm and humid
D: Cool and humid
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The blue spruce usually grows in cool and humid climatic zones. - In which month do blue spruce trees experience the lowest precipitation?
A: December
B: January
C: February
D: March
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Winter, especially December, is the season with the poorest rainfall for blue spruce. - What are the soil orders in which blue spruce commonly grow?
A: Oxisols and Ultisols
B: Mollisols, Histosols, and Inceptisols
C: Alfisols and Spodosols
D: Aridisols and Vertisols
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Blue spruce commonly grow in soils that are in the order Mollisols, Histosols, and Inceptisols. - How deep do blue spruce seedling roots penetrate in their first year?
A: 2.5 cm (1 inch)
B: 5 cm (2 inches)
C: 6.4 cm (2.5 inches)
D: 10 cm (4 inches)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Blue spruce seedling roots penetrate 6.4 cm (2.5 inches) of soil during the first year. - What insect pest causes galls to form on blue spruce trees?
A: Adelges
B: Aphid
C: Beetle
D: Moth
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The blue spruce is attacked by Adelges, which causes galls to form. - What is one notable cultivar of the blue spruce that has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit?
A: Fat Albert
B: Hoopsii
C: Glauca Globosa
D: Sester’s Dwarf
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: ‘Glauca Globosa’ is one of those cultivars. - Which traditional American Native uses blue spruce for medicinal purposes?
A: Navajo
B: Cherokee
C: Iroquois
D: Sioux
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Navajo and Keres Native Americans use blue spruce for medicinal purposes. - How well can blue spruce withstand drought compared to other spruces?
A: Very poorly
B: Better than any other spruce
C: About the same
D: Slightly worse
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The blue spruce can withstand drought better than any other spruce. - In which USDA growing zones does the blue spruce grow best?
A: 1 through 7
B: 5 through 10
C: 3 through 8
D: 2 through 6
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Blue spruce grows best in USDA growing zones 1 through 7. - What is a use of blue spruce wood by early people?
A: Jewelry
B: Building
C: Painting
D: Cooking
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Early people used blue spruce wood for building. - How are female cones arranged on a blue spruce tree?
A: At the lower branches
B: Throughout the tree
C: Only at the top
D: In the middle part of the tree
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Female cones are found at the top of the blue spruce tree. - What does the specific epithet “pungens” in Picea pungens mean?
A: Sweet-smelling
B: Sharply pointed
C: Soft texture
D: Fast-growing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The epithet “pungens” means “sharply pointed,” referring to the leaves. - What type of shape do the branches of ‘Glauca Pendula’ cultivar have?
A: Upright
B: Drooping
C: Sprawling
D: Weeping
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The ‘Glauca Pendula’ cultivar has drooping branches. - Which disease causes needles to turn reddish-brown and fall off the blue spruce?
A: Rust
B: Needle casting
C: Canker caused by Cytospora
D: Bacterial leaf blight
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Canker caused by Cytospora turns needles reddish-brown before they fall off. - How can the tip cutting of a blue spruce affect its growth?
A: Hastens growth
B: Slows growth
C: Allows growth taller than average
D: Makes it grow sideways
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Tip cutting can allow the blue spruce to grow larger than its average size. - Which Rocky Mountain state has a notable presence of blue spruce?
A: Nevada
B: Arizona
C: Colorado
D: Montana
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Blue spruce is most common in Colorado. - In which decorative industry is blue spruce commonly used?
A: Furniture making
B: Christmas tree industry
C: Pottery
D: Textile
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Blue spruce is commonly used in the Christmas tree industry. - What kind of branches does the blue spruce have?
A: Drooping
B: Upright
C: Horizontal
D: Randomly oriented
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The blue spruce has densely growing horizontal branches. - Which part of the blue spruce tree houses male cones?
A: Lower branches
B: Entire tree
C: Middle branches
D: Only at the top
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Male cones are found on the entire blue spruce tree. - What susceptibility does the blue spruce have to needle casting diseases?
A: Immune
B: Susceptible
C: Resistant
D: Completely unaffected
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Blue spruce is susceptible to several needle casting diseases. - What is the effect of pruning roots five years before transplanting?
A: Decreases root concentration
B: Increases root concentration
C: Changes tree shape
D: Reduces height
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Pruning roots increases root concentration and the total root surface area. - How does blue spruce handle extreme low temperatures?
A: Can’t survive them
B: Only survives mild cold
C: Can withstand -40 degrees C
D: Needs special care
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Blue spruce can withstand extremely low temperatures of -40 degrees C. - What environmental feature minimizes frost heaving loss in blue spruce seedlings?
A: High sunlight
B: Good drainage
C: Shadows in spring and autumn
D: Heavy rainfall
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Shadows in late spring and early autumn minimize frost heaving loss. - In what form are gifts given using blue spruce by Navajo and Keres Native Americans?
A: Flowers
B: Wood carvings
C: Twigs
D: Resin
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Twigs of blue spruce are given as gifts to bring good fortune. - Which pests cause galls that resemble miniature pineapples on blue spruce?
A: Pine beetle
B: Pineapple gall adelgid
C: Spider mites
D: Root worm
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The pineapple gall adelgid causes miniature pineapple-like galls on blue spruce. - What is the average frost-free period for blue spruce?
A: 30-45 days
B: 55-60 days
C: 70-90 days
D: 100-120 days
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The frost-free period for blue spruce ranges from about 55 to 60 days from June to August. - What is the typical average maximum temperature range in July for blue spruce habitats?
A: 10-15 degrees C (50-59 degrees F)
B: 15-20 degrees C (59-68 degrees F)
C: 21-22 degrees C (70-72 degrees F)
D: 25-30 degrees C (77-86 degrees F)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The average maximum temperature in July ranges from 21.1 to 22.2 degrees C (70 to 72 degrees F). - Which months have less than 20% of the blue spruce’s annual precipitation?
A: June to August
B: September to November
C: December to March
D: April to May
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: From December to March, the precipitation is usually less than 20% of the annual moisture for blue spruce. - What feature helps blue spruce resist strong winds despite their shallow roots?
A: Extensive leaf cover
B: Columnar shape
C: Shallow rooting habits
D: Root pruning
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Root pruning increases root concentration and helps blue spruce resist strong winds. - What is the alternate name for the blue spruce that emphasizes its region of origin?
A: Californian spruce
B: New York spruce
C: Colorado spruce
D: Nevada spruce
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The blue spruce is also known as Colorado blue spruce. - Which climate characteristic is more common for blue spruce growth?
A: Extreme heat
B: High humidity
C: abundant summer precipitation
D: Minimal winter snow
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Blue spruce usually grows in climatic zones with abundant summer precipitation. - Which of the following is a notable cultivar of blue spruce used as an ornamental tree?
A: Koster
B: Red Delight
C: Golden Pine
D: Moonlight
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Koster is a notable cultivar of blue spruce used for ornamental purposes. - How does Cytospora canker progress on a blue spruce tree?
A: Attacks roots first
B: Moves from lower to higher branches
C: Affects leaves instantly
D: Grows only at the trunk
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cytospora canker starts on lower branches and moves higher up the tree. - What part of the blue spruce is attacked by spruce beetles?
A: Leaves
B: Outer bark
C: Under the bark
D: Base of the tree
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Spruce beetles bore under the bark of blue spruce trees. - Which order does the blue spruce belong to in scientific classification?
A: Pineales
B: Pinales
C: Piceales
D: Sprucales
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The blue spruce belongs to the order Pinales. - What is one physical characteristic of blue spruce needles?
A: Smooth and soft
B: Waxy gray-green
C: Red and spiky
D: Flat and yellow
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Blue spruce needles are waxy gray-green in color. - What seasonal period records the lowest annual average temperature for blue spruce areas?
A: January
B: February
C: March
D: April
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: January records the lowest annual average temperature. - Which characteristic allows blue spruce to survive high insolation?
A: Densely growing branches
B: Deep roots
C: High resistance
D: Extensive leaf surface
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Blue spruce is more resistant to high insolation compared to other associated species. - What is an effect of mites on blue spruce during dry summers?
A: Increased growth
B: Leaf color darkening
C: Yellowing of oldest needles
D: Fruiting
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Mites can cause yellowing of the oldest needles in blue spruce, especially in a dry summer. - Which factor can cause seedlings of blue spruce to experience frost heaving?
A: Late spring sunlight
B: Heavy rainfall
C: Windy conditions
D: Excessive pruning
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Frost heaving in seedlings may occur without shadows in late spring. - What temperature can a blue spruce endure?
A: -10 degrees C
B: -20 degrees C
C: -30 degrees C
D: -40 degrees C
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Blue spruce can endure temperatures as low as -40 degrees C. - What common shape do cultivated blue spruce trees have in parks and gardens?
A: Spherical
B: Columnar or conical
C: Irregular
D: Flat topped
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cultivated blue spruce trees often have a columnar or conical shape. - How tall can the ‘Fat Albert’ cultivar of blue spruce grow?
A: 3 meters (10 feet)
B: 1 meter (3 feet)
C: 6 meters (20 feet)
D: 5 meters (16 feet)
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The ‘Fat Albert’ cultivar can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall. - Which illness is treated using a needle infusion from blue spruce in traditional medicine?
A: Influenza
B: Common cold
C: Malaria
D: Tuberculosis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A needle infusion of blue spruce is traditionally used to treat colds. - What prominent feature makes the blue spruce an attractive ornamental tree?
A: Fast growth
B: Blue-green needles
C: Large fruit
D: Red bark
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The blue-green colored needles make the blue spruce an attractive ornamental tree. - Which of the following pests causes the most damage during a major outbreak by attacking nearby trees?
A: Spruce beetle
B: Pine needle scale
C: Spruce budworm
D: Spruce needle miner
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: During major outbreaks, the spruce beetle causes significant damage by attacking nearby trees. - How long can the cones of blue spruce grow?
A: 10 cm (4 inches)
B: 5 cm (2 inches)
C: 1 cm (0.4 inches)
D: 15 cm (6 inches)
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The cones of blue spruce can grow up to 10 cm (4 inches) long. - What order do the soils in which blue spruce grow naturally belong to?
A: Mollisols
B: Aridisols
C: Vertisols
D: Ultisols
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Blue spruce commonly grow in soils that belong to the order Mollisols. - What climate factor does the blue spruce withstand better than other spruces?
A: Heat
B: Lack of moisture
C: Cold
D: Wind
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The blue spruce can withstand drought better than any other spruce.