Picea abies
Norway Spruce
The original Christmas tree - a tall spruce widespread throughout Europe.
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| Features: |
Iconic, symmetrical shape. |
| Applications: |
Specimen tree. Screening. |
| Description |
A natural for cold climates, this tree is something of an experimental niche inclusion in our available species. The Norway Spruce is a widespread fixture throughout the colder climates of Europe, coping easily with the rigours of frost and snow. Generally regarded as a hardy and competitive species in its natural habitat, it can grow to great heights of 50 metres and is often planted as a screen or hedge on farms or near buildings. In Australia, the Spruce is best suited to colder climates where it can receive some assistance or protection from hot or drying summers. Its shallow and far-reaching root system is vulnerable to drying conditions but tolerates a range of soil types and shallow rocky substrates, coastal conditions and of course, extremes of cold. Its green foliage hangs in shaggy fingers from more erect branches, offering thick screening and casting dense shade. |
| Availability: |
Currently unavailable |
| Mature height: |
10-20 |
| Mature spread: |
3-5 |
| Canopy: |
Conical with upward reaching branches and pendulous, shaggy foligae. Povides dense shade. |
| Growth rate: |
Moderate in ideal conditions |
| Cautions: |
Avoid drying sites. Roots are shallow and susceptible to paving or compaction. Roots can be invasive. Somewhat susceptible to atmospheric pollution. |
| Tolerances: |
Cold, frost, poor soils, somewhat shade tolerant. |
| Sun demands: |
Enjoys full to part sun |
| Soil demands: |
Most well-drained soils, acid to mildly alkaline, but also rocky shale. Light and poor soils better than heavy. |
| Water demands: |
Moderate. Should not dry out. |
| Native or Exotic: |
Exotic |
| Leaf habit: |
Evergreen |
| Family: |
Pinaceae |
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Additional references and recommended reading:
Boland, D. J. et al (2006) "Forest Trees of Australia" 5th Edition, Australia: CSIRO Publishing.
Gilman, Edward F. (1997) "Trees for Urban and Suburban Landscapes", Florida: Delmar Cengage Learning.
Lorenz von Ehren "Von Ehren Manual" 2nd Edition, Hamburg.
Rushforth, K. (2001) "Easy Tree Guide, Britain and Europe", London: Aurum Press.
Urban Forests Ecosystems Institute, "SelecTree - A Tree Selection Guide" retrieved from http://selectree.calpoly.edu/treelist.lasso 2009.
Disclaimer:
Torbay Treefarmers makes all information on this website available in good faith to customers, based on experience, general knowledge and research and in so doing, makes no guarantee in any way about the accuracy or usefulness of this information, nor is any warranty made or inferred by the supply of this information, nor can Torbay Treefarmers be held responsible or accountable for any loss, harm or damage that may arise from the use or availability of any information on this website.
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