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The fact that spruces and firs are conifers is obvious at first glance. They also differ from other conifers relatively easily. But it will be difficult for each other. Nevertheless, we found 6 differences between fir and spruce.
In a nutshell
- Fir and spruce look very similar
- the cones are the most striking difference
- the difference in the needles is noticeable
- different root system difficult to recognize
- Be careful with purchased conifers, German names can be deceiving
root
A major difference between fir and spruce is their different root systems. However, since most of them run underground, this is not obvious to many.
The taproots of the fir reach deeper into the ground and give the conifer more stability than the shallow roots of the spruce.
| fir | Spruce |
|---|---|
| - Taproot - Less susceptible to drought and more storm-proof - can still find water at great depths - difficult to transplant even when young - Potted trees hardly grow when planted | - Shallow roots - not so storm-proof and drought-resistant - easier to transplant - Christmas trees can grow with a bit of luck |
Notice: Because they are better protected against storms and are more resistant to general global warming, fir trees are preferred today. Spruce trees also fall victim to pests more quickly in comparison.
growth
While fir and spruce grow very similarly when they are young, i.e. pyramid-shaped, a closer look reveals more and more differences later on:
The layered growth of the Korean fir (Abies koreana) is clearly visible on the left, while the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) grows much more densely.
- Fir has horizontal branches
- grow in tiers
- Crown of fir trees is lighter
- Aged spruce with thinner tip
- grows denser, but is increasingly thinning out due to drought
- Branches form an arch
needles
Fir trees tend to have soft, flat needles that are also blunt at the top. They are arranged on the side of the branch. Spruce trees have round, pointed needles that are so hard they sting. They grow in a spiral around the branch on a small, brown stalk. Pine needles grow green straight out of the branch without stalks.
The rounded pine needles (left) are clearly visible, here on the Greek fir (Abies cephalonica), while the needles of the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) appear much more pointed.
Tip: Important mnemonic when shopping: the spruce stands out, the fir does not.
bark
The conifers can also be distinguished by the color of the bark. Spruce species have reddish bark, which becomes grey-brown with age. The bark grows scale-like.
Scaly bark on the trunk of Norway spruce (Picea abies)
Fir trees have smoother bark, which cracks later. With age, it becomes lighter and lighter, up to a whitish color.
cones
The differences between spruce and fir also become quite clear when it comes to the cones. While both are easily distinguished in shape from the small round cones of larch or pine, there are enough features to identify them clearly.
Standing pine cone (Korea fir), hanging spruce cone (right)
| fir | Spruce |
|---|---|
| - Cones grow upright - Fir trees do not shed cones - after maturity, only the outer scales of the cones fall off - Trunnion spindle remains on the boom | - Spruce cones hang on the tree - fall off after maturity and lie as whole cones under the tree - Pivot spindles remain when animals have gnawed off the pivots |
Tip: In the case of old trees, a look at the crown or at the ground under the conifer is sufficient to determine the species.
Botanical Differences
Although both conifers belong to the pine family, they are divided into different subfamilies. The Latin names are derived from this:
- Pine family: Pinaceae
- Subfamily firs: Abietoideae (first part in botanical name Abies)
- Spruce subfamily: Piceoideae (Picea)
Notice: When buying a spruce or fir tree, pay close attention to the botanical name, as the German names can be misleading. If in doubt, switch to a tree nursery that knows better.
frequently asked Questions
Do spruces and firs lose their needles in winter?Usually all conifers change their needles constantly, but imperceptibly. If a lot of needles fall from the tree in winter, this is either due to diseases, pests or poor environmental conditions. Coniferous trees usually do not sprout again in the lower trunk area, which means they bare.
Are only spruce trees attacked by the bark beetle?There are bark beetles for almost every tree species, which can cause lasting damage to the tree under favorable conditions. The infestation of spruces is so noticeable because spruces were kept in monocultures for a long time.
Why is a fir better suited as a Christmas tree?On the one hand, of course, because of the softer needles, which do not cause any unpleasant stitches when decorating. On the other hand, the needles of fir trees stay on the tree longer after felling than the needles of spruce. If a potted Christmas tree is to be planted in the garden, a spruce makes more sense.
What are the benefits of conifers in the garden?Whether fir or spruce, there are various birds that specialize in conifers and are happy when they find some in the garden. Other animals also like to eat the cones.
Are there differences between the individual types of fir or spruce?The characteristics extend to all species and their varieties. A blue spruce has silvery-bluish needles, but they still sting, while all types of fir, such as the well-known Nordmann fir, have soft needles.