An elegant and adaptable species that is usually planted as an ornamental, being less vigorous than other spruces. First introduced to Europe in 1837, and described a decade later.

Native to the eastern coastal fringes of the Black Sea and the Caucasus, in Turkey and Georgia, growing in pure or mixed stands, at higher elevations with Caucasian Fir (p. xxx), and lower elevations with Oriental Beech.

Monoecious. Hybridises with several other spruce species.

Tall (40m), usually very straight and single-stemmed with a rounded top. Bark grey-brown, scaly. Branches persist on the stem, the foliage dense. Needles dark glossy green and very short (8mm). Female cones violet-brown, often resinous, slender, 9cm, erect but pendulous when mature, persisting on the branch.

Grows on a wide range of soils, including a greater tolerance to dry conditions than most spruces, but thrives on moist, acidic soils and on north-facing slopes. Usually unaffected by spring frosts.

No notable associations where introduced.

Susceptible to damage from Great Spruce Bark Beetle (Dendroctonus micans).

An important commercial timber species in eastern Europe, yet low vigour in north-west Europe has limited its adoption for that purpose. It is however a popular ornamental, both in its pure form, and with more than 50 cultivars available.