VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Picea breweriana | Brewer Spruce 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
The wood of Brewer spruce is soft, heavy, and close grained [14].  The
branching habit of Brewer spruce results in the wood having many knots,
and it has little commercial value.  Trees that are harvested are often
mixed with other trees for use as low grade lumber [18].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Brewer spruce provides excellent wildlife habitat [4].  Cones and seeds
of Brewer spruce do not appear to be a preferred food for rodents [18].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
In Europe, Brewer spruce is considered a popular ornamental [18].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Brewer spruce is best managed on mesic sites that are characterized by
the presence of Sadler oak (Quercus sadleriana).  Brewer spruce growth
is best in mixed stands with uneven-aged management [18].  Natural
regeneration of Brewer spruce is good under dense white fir-Brewer
spruce stands, but it does not regenrate as well in open conditions [3].

Little information on volume or yield of Brewer spruce is available.
The average total basal area of a few sampled stands is 205 square feet
per acre (47 sq m/ha), with an annual increment of 9 square feet per
acre (2 sq m/ha) [18].

Artificial propagation is best from seed.  Some spruce seeds have been
stored without loss of viability for periods of 5 to 17 years [16].
Safford [26] describes methods of seed extraction and storage and
nursery practice.

Cooley spruce gall adelgid (Adelges cooleyi) is common in Brewer spruce
but does little harm.  Seed chalcids (Megastigmus spp.) have been
observed in mature seeds of Brewer spruce.  Parasitism by dwarf
mistletoe (Arceuthobium campylopodum) has been observed in 36 percent of
local populations.  Brewer spruce is more susceptible to windthrow than
its associates because of its shallow root system.  Shallow roots also
result in high incidences of root rot (Heterobasision annosum) in some
areas [18].

Related categories for Species: Picea breweriana | Brewer Spruce