Consensus Documents contain information for use during the regulatory assessment of a particular product. In the area of plant biosafety, Consensus Documents are being developed on the biology of certain plant species, on specific; genes and resulting proteins that, when introduced into a plant, result in the expression of specific traits; and on Biosafety issues arising from certain general trait modifications made to plants. This Consensus Document addresses the biology of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). White spruce is one of the most economically important tree species in North America, where it is used primarily for wood pulp and general-purpose lumber. It is found in all forested regions of Canada except on the Pacific coast. White spruce is a dominant species in reforestation programmes in every Canadian province and throughout the north-central and northeastern United States.