Christmas Tree, Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
The Norway Spruce is a majestic conifer with a narrow conical habit. The sharp needles point forwards. The brown cones may be up to 20cm long. Spruces can grow to 600 years of age.
-
Appearance
The Norway Spruce is a majestic conifer with a narrow conical habit. The sharp needles point forwards. The brown cones may be up to 20cm long. Spruces can grow to 600 years of age.
-
Leaves
Evergreen, pointed, very stiff needles 1-2.5cm long, 0.1cm wide. Dark green. Arranged to point forwards and upwards on the shoots.
-
Leaf upperside
Evergreen, pointed, very stiff needles 1-2.5cm long, 0.1cm wide. Dark green. Arranged to point forwards and upwards on the shoots.
-
Flowers
Flowering period IV-V, pale yellow bracts, red male flower turns yellow when dusted; female flower is bright purple.
-
Fruits
Cylindrical pendent pale brown cones up to 15cm long. Thin scales with wavy edge. Only release the seed in spring.
-
Bark
Grey-brown or dark grey bark, red-brown when young, peels of in asymmetrical flakes with age.
Application
Afforestation, open fields, screening, noise abatement, wind-break, bird protection, forage for honey-bees, parks
Native regions
Central and northern Europe
Location parameters
Light: full sun to off-sun, temperature: normal to cold, soil: dry to moist, stagnant moisture: resistant, soil depth: shallow to deep, compaction: resistant, pH value: 5.0-8.0
Demands
Sun to half shade; cool and humid, frost-hardy; fresh to moist; grows in all well-drained substrates if not too nutrient-rich, may be damaged by windfall in heavy soil. Does not tolerate atmospheric pollution and salt.
Growth
Height of growth: 30 m to 50 m, spread: 6 m to 8 m, tree-like, conical, growth habits: rounded, horizontal, dense, upright, erect, layered, central leader
Leaves
Evergreen, pointed, very stiff needles 1-2.5cm long, 0.1cm wide. Dark green. Arranged to point forwards and upwards on the shoots.
Flowers
Flowering period IV-V, pale yellow bracts, red male flower turns yellow when dusted; female flower is bright purple.
Fruits
Cylindrical pendent pale brown cones up to 15cm long. Thin scales with wavy edge. Only release the seed in spring.
Bark
Grey-brown or dark grey bark, red-brown when young, peels of in asymmetrical flakes with age.
Roots
Surface-rooting, fine root system, expansive root system