Common spruce (Picea abies) closely resembles fir, another member of the conifer family. It distinguishes itself by its larger size, up to 229 ft (70 m), its finely scaled reddish-brown bark, and its slightly prickly needles arranged in a brush. The common spruce thrives in shady and humid places, such as the edge of Lake Servières in the Puy-de-Dôme department, but does not withstand strong winds because of its shallow rooting.