Botany & history of spruce
Spruce needles have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Spruce needles have also been used to protect the skin from the sun and the cold weather.
Spruce trees are evergreen trees, meaning that they keep their needles all year round. Spruce needles are arranged in a spiral pattern around the twigs. The needles are typically long and thin, and can be up to 2 inches long.
History of Spruce Trees
Spruce trees have been used by humans for centuries. The ancient Egyptians used spruce resin to embalm their mummies. The ancient Greeks and Romans used spruce wood to build ships and houses. The Native Americans used spruce wood to build canoes and snowshoes.
Today, spruce trees are used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Timber: Spruce wood is a strong and lightweight wood that is used to make a variety of products, including lumber, plywood, and paper.
- Paper: Spruce pulp is used to make a variety of paper products, including newsprint, magazine paper, and tissue paper.
- Christmas trees: Spruce trees are popular Christmas trees due to their symmetrical shape and pleasant fragrance.
- Essential oil: Spruce needle oil is an essential oil that is used in aromatherapy and skincare products.
Fun Fact: The oldest known spruce tree is over 9,500 years old. It is located in Sweden, and is known as the Old Tjikko.