Picea chihuahuana
Chihuahuan spruce (Picea chihuahuana) was discovered in 1942 by the Mexican botanist Maximo Martinez. Native to northwest Mexico, this medium-sized conifer occurs in scattered relict populations high up on north-facing mountain sides. Recent research indicates that these scattered stands are relicts of the last glacial period and the Holocene warming. Today this beautiful conifer is endangered in the wild and could even become extinct.
But Chihuahuan spruce is here at VanDusen and flourishing. A group of them were planted together in 2009 in bed 72A. You can get right up to these trees and have a good look. You’ll see blue-green needles, some silver ones and green too. The colour of blue conifers is caused by a special layer of wax on the needles that reflects particular wavelengths of light. The glaucous wax of its needles also acts as a sunblock to protect the tree from intense sun. Most blue-toned conifers have evolved in areas of very high sunlight.
Close-up you can see what extremely sharp needles this spruce has. They radiate around very thick branches. And you are never quite sure what path the wide-spreading branches are taking. A mesmerizing tree. The pictures were taken at VanDusen in March, 2024.
Text and photos by Hughie Jones