Black Spruce Plug Seedlings

(Picea mariana)
[a.k.a. Abies mariana, Picea nigra, Picea brevifolia]

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Black Spruce plug seedlings photo 1
Black Spruce plug seedlings, approx 9-15″ tall [photo is no longer accurate]
Picea mariana are a slow growing northern species, featuring dense foliage and good shade tolerance. This species reaches only to about 30ft in height, except in rare circumstances, and grows in a small narrow columnar shape. Black Spruce is therefore well-suited to tight planting spaces where houses and other objects tend to block the sun. It is commonly found in the Great Lake States and the Northeast US, and is widespread throughout Canada.

SOLD OUT till Fall 2024 or later, see the very similar White Spruce plug seedlings and Black Hills Spruce plug seedlings

Picea mariana photo
Picea mariana plug seedlings

Although Black Spruce is generally a zone 2-5 species, it can do well in zone 6 if planted in a persistently moist location. It is a perfect species for wetlands and lowland locations around ponds and streams. Black Spruce is a good companion species for the similarly wet-loving but deciduous Tamarack Larch.

Individual Packaging Options:
Plug seedlings are grouped together in bundles for shipping, but we offer individual plastic packaging, eco-friendly packaging, and cotton gift bag packaging for all sizes of plug seedlings, sold separately in matching quantities. These individual packaging services are available for plug seedlings only.


Black Spruce are remarkably tolerant of poor soils and colder climates, and are relatively free of pests and disease. They are a “climax species”, meaning they tend to be the last plants to mature in an area disturbed by drought, fire, etc., but eventually dominate all others until the next major disturbance takes place.

Plant In Record Time:
You can plant evergreen plug seedlings faster and with less effort than any traditional "bare root" evergreen seedling or transplant, upwards of 50 to 100 per hour without breaking your back using just a cordless drill and this garden auger. Auger is FREE with purchase of 200 or more plug seedlings, or just $17.00 [our cost] with any tree purchase, or $37.00 with no tree purchase, shipped anywhere in the USA [int'l shipping is extra].

Black Spruce seedlings: characteristics and info

• prefers hardiness zones 3-5 but can handle zone 6 if planted in a wet location
• prefers full sun to partial shade
• mature height and spread: up to 50ft high, 10-15ft spread
• prefers darker, rich soils, swampy soils, darker soils, boot sucking mud, wetlands
Wikipedia info on Black Spruce
Black Spruce Sizes and Availability:
--- Black Spruce seedlings [sold out till Fall 2023 or later]
--- Black Spruce plug seedlings [sold out till Fall 2023 or later]

• Comparable alternative species: Black Hills Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Meyers Spruce, Norway Spruce, Serbian Spruce and White Spruce. Confused about species? Check out our Evergreen Tree Buyers Guide

CURRENTLY SOLD OUT in this species in this size, see size and availability options above. Please consider joining our very unobtrusive email list to be notified when we begin selling and shipping this species in this size. You may also request a custom invoice to pay for and reserve these specific trees in your name for a future Spring or Fall shipping season.
Prices below include all shipping and handling and a one year guarantee*:
5-pack for $33.00 (5 evergreen plug seedlings)
10-pack for $47.00 (10 evergreen plug seedlings)
25-pack for $83.00 (25 evergreen plug seedlings)
50-pack for $139.00 (50 evergreen plug seedlings)
100-pack for $199.00 (100 evergreen plug seedlings)