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Encyclopaedia of trees- Choosing shrubs and trees
- Christmas Tree, Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
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.
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.
Photos
Related
Types of damage
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