Picea abies (Norway Spruce)

Michael's Opinion

A popular evergreen, possibly superseding our own native white spruce in use. Often used as windbreaks, mass plantings and specimen plantings.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPicea
Speciesabies
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginNative to northern and central Europe.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone2 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone0a - 7a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-46 - (-12)
Temperature (°F)-50 - 10
Height12 - 18 m
Spread7.5 - 9 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionIt is a large tree that has an elegant pyramidal form with pendulous branches curving upwards. The branches are a distinct orange brown on the underside. Branches grow low to the ground and the tree can be used as an effective windbreak.
ID CharacteristicWeeping branches with a stem of 45°. Shoots have orange brown undersides curving up with dark green needles. Cones are one of the largest of any spruce, about 12 - 16 cm and reddish brown in colour.
ShapePyramidal with pendulous branches.
LandscapeOften used as windbreaks, mass plantings and specimen plants.
PropagationPropagated by seeds in the autumn, as well as cuttings. Take a cutting of a semi-ripe terminal shoot about 5-8 cm long in August. Rooting will occur over the winter months in the greenhouse.
CultivationPlant the tree in full sun, tolerates some shade. It will tolerate a variety of soil types. It does best growing in moist loam soils. Not drought tolerant.
PestsCan be susceptible to spruce gall.
Notable SpecimensThe Gardens of Fanshawe College London, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatFound growing throughout central and northern Europe southwest even towards the end of the Alps.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThin bark that thickens with age. It has a reddish brown colour becoming grey-brown and forming scales towards maturity.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionConical, reddish to light brown. They are non-resinous and no larger than 90 mm in size.
Leaf DescriptionStraight, stiff, 1 - 2.5 cm long sharp pointed and dark green on all sides.
Flower DescriptionMonoecious, males are auxiliary and females are terminal and reddish-pink in colour. Both are about 2.5 cm in size.
Fruit DescriptionCylindrical cones 12 - 16 cm long, 3 - 5 cm wide. Fruiting time is generally September through October.
Colour DescriptionThe needles are green and the bark a reddish-brown colour in youth, turning a grey colour as it ages. Cones are light brown with a hint of red.
Texture DescriptionMedium textured tree if not sheared. The sparse branching plant thickens with age.

Photographs