Colorado Blue Spruce-Picea pungens

Something to Ponder:

There were thirty of them when first planted. Evergreens of all sorts. They were planted in honor of the founding minister of this church – Tommy Paino and his wife and their thirty years of marriage. They were planted as the end of Tommy’s life was approaching – a life lived well, a marriage that stood the test of time, and in honor of his vision to put a church on the ground where you now stand.

You can count how many are still standing. Several are gone – broken by a storm or destroyed by disease. And yet others still stand tall, green throughout the four seasons, viable, healthy.

But the message is clear for all of us. Despite our apparent strength there will come a day when the next season in life will be too much to withstand, too much to bear, just…too much. As different as we are, it is one thing we all have in common.

For Christians, that then is the moment of our great peace and great joy. While the evergreens may last for long time, longer than we are on this earth. It is our comfort that we are the living beings that have eternity awaiting. Death has already been conquered. That was Tommy Paino’s belief as his “needles fell to the ground” for the last time. It can be yours as well.Colorado Blue Spruce-Picea pungens, also commonly known as Green Spruce, White Spruce or Colorado Spruce. It is native to North America and is found in USDA growing zones 1 through 7. Naturally found in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, this evergreen grows 60-100 feet tall at a rate of 1 to 6 inches per year. Stiff, bristly, gray-blue needles are four-angled and point outward from the branches in all directions. Cones often cluster near the top of the tree. Enjoyed for shelter by many species of birds and mammals and is often used as a Christmas tree with its branches used for wreaths. Colorado Blue Spruce grows best in a sunny location with moist, well drained, fertile soil.

Learn More:

Colorado Blue Spruce-Picea pungens, also commonly known as Green Spruce, White Spruce or Colorado Spruce. It is native to North America and is found in USDA growing zones 1 through 7. Naturally found in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, this evergreen grows 60-100 feet tall at a rate of 1 to 6 inches per year. Stiff, bristly, gray-blue needles are four-angled and point outward from the branches in all directions. Cones often cluster near the top of the tree. Enjoyed for shelter by many species of birds and mammals and is often used as a Christmas tree, and branches used for wreaths. Wood is harvested to make screws. Colorado Blue Spruce grows best in a sunny location with moist, well drained, fertile soil.