Norway Spruce Picea abies
Other plants called Norway Spruce:
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-see-uh A-bees
- Description
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Picea abies has a pyramidal habit with a strong central leader and pendulous branches. It is an evergreen gymnosperm tree that grows up to 75'. Juvenile growth form is elliptical-columnar, has spreading branches, and become pyramidal with branchlets pendulous. This tree has a shallow root system and prefers moderately moist, well-drained, acidic soils. It prefers a cool climate and would be best suited for a northern climate. Picea abies dislikes heat, wet feet, and hot, dry summers with full sun to very light shade. Its texture is fine to medium, and the tree has a medium growth rate. They prefer moist well drained acidic soils and are Native to Norway. This plant is utilized as windbreaks, specimens, accent plants, and Christmas trees. Numerous dwarf forms of this plant exist. It is a majestic tree with pendulous lateral branchlets. This plant is susceptible to borers, budworms, red spiders, and spruce gall aphids.
Quick ID Hints:
- Gymnosperm with long sword-shaped leaves
- Leaves are deep to dark green in color; non-grayish
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurea'
- 'Conica'
- 'Conica sport'
- 'Cranstonii'
- 'Doversi pendula'
- 'Fluke'
- 'Frohburg'
- 'Inversa'
- 'Pendula'
Low growing, flat-topped irregular globe outlined with short stout branches 'Nidiformis'
Contains a depression (nest) in the middle of its tight, compact, mounded habit
Has a irregular outline 'Pumila Glauca'
The branches are symmetrical with white stomata that open and close to allow the intake of carbon dioxide var. abies
Openly branched with long thick branches - 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Conica', 'Conica sport', 'Cranstonii', 'Doversi pendula', 'Fluke', 'Frohburg', 'Inversa', 'Maxwellii', 'Nidiformis', 'Pendula', 'Pumila', 'Pumila Glauca', var. abies
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
- 'Conica'
- 'Conica sport'
- 'Cranstonii'
- 'Doversi pendula'
- 'Fluke'
- 'Frohburg'
- 'Inversa'
- 'Pendula'
Low growing, flat-topped irregular globe outlined with short stout branches 'Nidiformis'
Contains a depression (nest) in the middle of its tight, compact, mounded habit
Has a irregular outline 'Pumila Glauca'
The branches are symmetrical with white stomata that open and close to allow the intake of carbon dioxide var. abies
Openly branched with long thick branches - 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Conica', 'Conica sport', 'Cranstonii', 'Doversi pendula', 'Fluke', 'Frohburg', 'Inversa', 'Maxwellii', 'Nidiformis', 'Pendula', 'Pumila', 'Pumila Glauca', var. abies
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Picea
- Species:
- abies
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- This tree attracts birds.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- air pollution, deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 74 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 4-6 in chestnut brown pendulous cones with thin scales that are irregularly toothed and cylindrical. Cone color may include: pink and brown. Cones are 4-6" long and 1-2" in diameter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Description:
- Yellow-brown male flowers and purple female flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate, glossy, dense, radial, saber-shaped, stiff, pectinate with those on upper side of twigs pointed forward, overlapping those below spreading to the right angles from exposed twigs, incurved apically, have lateral sides with 2-3 stomalal bands, are dark green in color, and up to an inch long.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- Red-brown and scaly bark which turn grey and like flaking plates .
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Pollution
