White spruce is the most widely distributed spruce in the Western Hemisphere, ranging from Newfoundland and Labrador across the boreal forest to Alaska, and south to New England and the upper Great Lakes. It grows on moist upland woods, slopes and river banks, and its twigs, needles and seeds feed wildlife while its dense crown shelters nesting birds. In Quebec it is native and widespread.
The epithet glauca means bluish-grey, a reference to the waxy bloom on the needles; Conrad Moench named it Pinus glauca in 1785 and it was later moved to Picea. The tree was introduced to Britain around 1700 and is one of Canada's important timber species for pulp, paper and the soundboards of musical instruments. Spruce roots were used by Anishinaabe people for basketry, canoe lacing and cordage, and spruce gum for sealing.