Picea meyeri (Meyer's Spruce)

Picea meyeri (Meyer's Spruce) is a species of spruce tree native to China. It is named after the plant explorer, Frank N. Meyer, who collected the first specimen in 1901. Meyer's Spruce is primarily found in the northern and central regions of China, including the provinces of Gansu, Shaanxi, Ningxia, and Inner Mongolia.

Meyer's Spruce is a medium-sized to large evergreen tree that can reach heights of 40 to 80 feet (12 to 24 meters). It has a conical or columnar crown and dense, dark green foliage. The needles are short, stiff, and prickly, measuring about 0.4 to 0.6 inches (1 to 1.5 centimeters) in length. The bark of young trees is smooth and grayish-brown, becoming rough and scaly as the tree matures.

This species is adapted to cold and arid climates, growing in regions with long, cold winters and short, dry summers. Meyer's Spruce is known for its ability to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds, and drought conditions. It prefers well-drained soils and is often found in mountainous areas, rocky slopes, and river valleys.

Meyer's Spruce is valued for its ornamental qualities and is often planted in parks, gardens, and large landscapes. Its dense foliage and symmetrical shape make it an attractive choice for creating visual screens, windbreaks, or as a standalone specimen tree. It is also occasionally used as a Christmas tree.

The wood of Meyer's Spruce is of moderate quality and can be used for construction, furniture, and paper production.

It's important to note that while Picea meyeri is commonly known as Meyer's Spruce, it is sometimes referred to as Meyer Spruce or Meyer's Spruce Pine. However, taxonomically, it belongs to the spruce genus (Picea) and not the pine genus (Pinus).