White spruce is a native species that looks very similar to a couple of introduced spruce species which are commonly planted in Montréal. Norway spruce (Picea abies) has longer cones (10-15 cm) than white spruce, and Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) has a light blue colour. White spruce has slightly waxy, light coloured twigs, which give it its name. The cones are 3-6 cm and hang down from the upper branches when they are mature. Needles are bluish-green, four-sided in cross section, sharp pointed and stiff, and give off a musky odour when crushed.