Picea abies
Picea abies
Norway spruce
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Description
Norway spruce is a stately, fast-growing evergreen with pendulous branchlets and classic cones. Tough, cold-hardy, and wind-resistant, it anchors large landscapes, screens views, and is beloved as a traditional European Christmas tree.
Common Names
Norway spruceEuropean spruce
Context
nativeRegion
Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe (Scandinavia to the Alps and Carpathians).
usdaZones
3-7
companionPlants
Betula pendula (silver birch), Larix decidua (European larch), Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine), Rhododendron spp., Calluna vulgaris (heather), Juniperus spp., Vaccinium spp.
culturalUses
Timber and pulpwood, soundboards for instruments, windbreaks and shelterbelts, ornamental plantings, and widely used as Christmas trees in Europe.
Care
Care Requirements
LightFull sun for best density; tolerates light shade.
WateringKeep evenly moist the first 2–3 years; deep-water during drought. More tolerant once established but avoid standing water.
SoilWell-drained, acidic to neutral loam; tolerates sandy or clay soils if drainage is good.
FertilizerLight feeding in early spring with a balanced slow-release or conifer fertilizer; avoid high nitrogen late in season.
HumidityAverage outdoor humidity; handles cold, dry winters but can struggle in hot, humid summers.
TemperatureHardy to about -40 F (-40 C); prefers cool summers and performs best in USDA zones 3–7.
Growth & Life Cycle
HabitEvergreen conifer with a pyramidal form, strong central leader, and drooping secondary branchlets.
Mature Size40–60 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide in landscapes; over 100 ft in native forests.
Growth RateFast for a spruce: about 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) per year when young.
BloomingMonoecious; yellow pollen cones and red-green female cones in spring; cones mature in one season and hang pendant.
DormancyEvergreen; enters winter bud dormancy with new growth flushing in spring.
Propagation
MethodsSeed (cold stratification), Semi-hardwood cuttings, Grafting (cultivars)
DifficultyModerate (easy by seed; cultivars usually grafted)
Best SeasonLate winter to early spring for seed and grafting; late summer for cuttings.
Maintenance & Notes
PruningMinimal needed. Prune in late winter to remove dead or crossing wood and to lightly shape. Avoid cutting into old bare wood; candle-prune new growth if required.
RepottingPrimarily for dwarf cultivars or bonsai; repot every 2–3 years in early spring in a well-drained conifer mix.
Pests & DiseasesSpruce spider mite, green spruce aphid, sawflies, and bark beetles under stress; needle casts (Rhizosphaera, Lirula), needle rust (Chrysomyxa), Cytospora canker; root rot in poorly drained soils.
ToxicityGenerally non-toxic to people and pets; sharp needles and resin may cause mild mechanical irritation.
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