COLORADO SPRUCE/PICEA PUNGENS

These pictures were taken near the tree line at around 12,000 ft above sea level, where the air is very thin and the sun more intense than in lower elevations. It stays fairly cold up there year round, with freezing temps common through the year especially at night. Some areas have permanent snow except during drier years. The growing season is alpine in nature being fairly short, lasting only 2-3 months or so. These conditions make life difficult for these small groups of Spruce; growth is slow and difficult.

Picture taken in Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA

Images by Randy Cowie