Picea, collectively known as Spruces, is a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal (taiga) regions. Spruces are large trees, from about 20 to 60 m tall when mature, and have whorled branches and conical forms. They can be distinguished from other members of the pine family by their leaves, which are four-sided and attached singly to small persistent peg-like structures on the branches, and by their cones which hang downwards after they are pollinated. The leaves are shed when they are 4 to 10 years old, leaving the branches rough with the retained pegs. In other similar genera, the branches are smooth. Spruces are used as food plants by the larvae of some moth and butterfly species. They are long-lived trees and make excellent landscape specimens.

Picea wilsonii, commonly known as Wilson’s Spruce, is a coniferous evergreen tree, slowly growing to about 25m or exceptionally 50m tall and a trunk up to 130 cm in diameter with a conical crown. It is native of China, where it is common in the mountains of Northwest Szechwan and Northwest Hupeh and extends northward to Kansu and Shansi. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist soil. It is a sought-after landscape tree and is valued for its strong timber as well as being an ideal subject for the art of bonsai. Picea wilsonii seeds have a shallow dormancy and don’t require cold stratification.