blue spruce

American  

noun

1. a spruce, Picea pungens, of western North America, having bluish-green leaves, grown as an ornamental: the state tree of Colorado and Utah.

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blue spruce British  

noun

1. Also called: balsam spruce.  a spruce tree, Picea pungens glauca , native to the Rocky Mountains of North America, having blue-green needle-like leaves

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Etymology

Origin of blue spruce

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Compare meaning

How does blue-spruce compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• white spruce vs. blue spruce

Example Sentences

“We were basically middle class so there weren’t a lot of big to-dos throughout the year, but Christmas was always a big deal,” he says, “Christmas by the pound. My grandparents always had a big Christmas Eve party and the weekend before there was always the American Legion Christmas party. We always had a giant blue spruce in the living room that my sister and I got to decorate. And on Christmas morning, we took forever to open presents because we didn’t want Christmas to be over. “

From Los Angeles Times

As a Coloradan living among a forest of blue spruce, I admit that I never knew that Christmas wreaths and garlands made from American-grown Southern evergreens, such as magnolia and varieties of cedar, pine and cypress, will last eight to 10 weeks.

From Washington Post

In 18,47, Imgard reportedly celebrated Christmas by decorating blue spruce with candy canes and ornaments and his neighbors in Wooster, Ohio, took notice.

From Fox News

Whether it’s a towering noble fir, a medium-sized Colorado blue spruce or even a fake plastic evergreen, expect to pay more for your Christmas tree this season.

From Washington Times

Most of their trees are Colorado blue spruce — which have stiff needles and an open layout to their branches, making them ideal for large or heavy ornaments — and Douglas fir, a soft needled, highly fragrant variety with a classic pyramid shape.

From Washington Post