Black spruce is not a common tree to encounter in Montréal, as it typically grows in very acidic places, such as bogs, which are uncommon in the region. It is a very common tree in the boreal forest were wet acidic places are frequant. Black spruce can be easily distinguished from other spruces. It has short needles about 1 cm long, which are four-sided in cross-section and pointy. The twigs are brown and dull compared to white spruce, and the cones are only about 2 cm long.