The bark of the spruce is much more than just the skin of the tree. If you look closely, you can determine the type of tree or find an indication of diseases and/or pests.
What is the bark of a spruce tree like and what possible uses are there?
The bark of the spruce is reddish-brown and scaly, with younger spruces having a more intense color. Spruce bark can be used as bark mulch, packaging material or tanning agent. Bark loss can be caused by bark beetle infestation, which can cause the tree to die.
What does the bark of a spruce tree actually look like?
The bark of a spruce is reddish-brown, which is why it is called red spruce or red fir. However, the term “fir” is incorrect because it is a completely different tree with soft needles and standing cones. The reddish brown of the spruce bark is more reddish or more brown depending on the species, but always with a flaky bark layer.
Can I use spruce bark somehow?
There are different ways to use the bark of a spruce tree. The industry uses it to produce inexpensive bark mulch or packaging for cheese. Spruce bark can also be used as a vegetable tanning agent for tanning leather. Individual pieces of bark are ideal for crafting or decorating. However, you should first check whether there is an infestation with bark beetles or fungi.
Does mulch made from spruce bark have any special advantages?
The fibrous structure of the spruce bark is quite decorative, as is the darker color compared to the pine bark. The pH value of the spruce bark, which is in the neutral to slightly acidic range, is beneficial for many plants. This means the necessary nutrients are freely available in the soil.
Why is my spruce losing its bark?
When a spruce tree loses its bark, it usually doesn't mean anything good. The bark beetle is often behind it, which can also cause the tree to die. The first signs of an infestation are small piles of bark dust at the foot of the spruce. A pheromone trap may help (€12.00 on Amazon), but it can also attract other bark beetles. If the infestation is severe, the spruce can only be felled.
The most important things in brief:
- Bark color of young spruces: reddish brown
- Bark color of older spruces: gray-brown
- finely flaky instead of barky at lower altitudes
- more grayish in color at higher altitudes
Tip
The Norway spruce can be easily recognized by its bark; it is barky and reddish brown. The coloring also gave the tree the name red spruce.
