Picea asperata - Common Bonsai,Conifer - Dragon Spruce Page

Picea asperata, or Dragon Spruce, is an evergreen tree native to Western China. This medium-sized tree grows up to 75-120 ft tall, boasting a trunk diameter up to 4 ft. The agile shoots exhibit a robust orange-brown color, with randomly scattered pubescence. Its leaves are needle-like, donning a length of 1-2.5 cm, with a distinctive rhombic cross-section and a beautiful greyish-green to bluish-green color complemented by conspicuous stomatal lines. Adding to its allure, the cones are cylindric-conic in shape, maturing into a pale brown 5-7 months after pollination. These cones have stiff scales, which are rounded to bluntly pointed. The radiant foliage ranges from light blue to light green tones, graced by 3/4" needles. Interestingly, this tree retains its dense foliage for up to seven years. Frequently utilized by the Chinese for construction purposes, this magnificent tree has a broad column-like structure that uniquely narrows towards the top, making it an excellent choice for coastal areas. In addition, its wood is distinctively suitable for crafting stringed instruments and constructing aircraft, railway sleepers, and furniture. The Dragon Spruce truly is an aesthetically pleasing, functional tree blessed with resilience and versatility.