lesser extent. Blue spruce is considered as a pioneer tree species in moist soil in Utah. Climate Blue spruce usually grows in cool and humid climatic zones where the annual precipitation mainly occurs in the summer. Blue spruce is most common in Colorado and the Southwest. The annual average temperature ranges from 3.9 to 6.1 degrees C (39 to 43 degrees F). And ranges from - 3.9 to - 2.8 degrees C (25 to 27 degrees F) in January. In July, the average temperature ranges from 13.9 to 15.0 degrees C (57 to 59 degrees F). The average minimum temperature in January ranges from - 11.1 to 8.9 degrees C (12 to 16 degrees F), and the average maximum temperature in July ranges from 21.1 to 22.2 C (70 to 72 degrees F). There is a frost-free period of about 55 to 60 days from June to August. Annual mean precipitation generally vary from 460 to 610 mm (18 to 24 in). Winter is the season with the poorest rainfall, the precipitation is usually less than 20 percent of the annual moisture falling from December to March. And fifth percent of the annual precipitation occurs during the growing season of the plants. Blue spruce is generally considered to grow best with abundant moisture. Nevertheless, this species can withstand drought better than any other spruce. It can withstand extremely low temperatures (-40 degrees C) as well. Furthermore, this species is more resistant to high insolation and frost damage compared to other associated species. References External links Conifers.org: Picea pungens (blue spruce) description Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center NPIN — Native Plant Information Network Interactive Distribution Map of Picea pungens Picea pungens — U.C. Photo Gallery Picea Trees of North America Trees of Canada Trees of the United States Trees of the Western United States Trees of the South-Central United States Trees of the Southwestern United States Flora of the Rocky Mountains Least concern flora of the United States Symbols of Colorado Plants used in traditional Native American medicine Garden plants of North America Ornamental trees Plants described in 1879