The author took a picture of a spruce tree while hiking near Campbell Airstrip in Anchorage and noticed a significant amount of growth in the White Spruce candles. They wonder if this is due to warming and a longer growing season caused by climate change. LEO suggests that there is evidence to support this theory, citing a report on the impacts of climate change on forests in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada, as well as an article on White Spruce in Northern Alaska growing faster in a warmer climate.

Observation: I took this picture while hiking near Campbell Airstrip in Anchorage. I have hiked these trails for years but never recall seeing so much growth in the White Spruce candles. I am wondering - is this because of warming and a longer growing season?

LEO says: There is mounting evidence that climate change including increases in CO2 levels and a longer growing season may be increases rate of tree growth. See report Changing Climate, Changing Forests:The Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada and White Spruce in Northern Alaska Growing Faster in Warmer Climate White spruce (Picea glauca). M. Brubaker