The root of the name comes from the Latin word “pix”, meaning resin, and is related to the large amounts of resin produced by some species of this genus. The spruce is widely distributed in Europe, from Scandinavia in the north to the Balkan Peninsula, covering the altitude range of 1000-2300 meters. In the territory of Macedonia, near Mavrovo, as well as a small population in Malesevo, are some of the southernmost points of distribution of this species on the Balkan Peninsula.