About
Picea abies, the Norway spruce, is a fast-growing, dense conifer to 30 m tall, narrowly conical when young and becoming broader with age. Its dark-green, glossy, needle-like leaves to 2.5 cm long cover the upper side of the branchlets. Light-brown, tapering cones reach up to 15 cm long. Widely grown as a Christmas tree and one of the most important timber trees in Europe.
About the genus
Picea, the spruces, are evergreen trees with rigid, needle-like leaves arranged singly all round the shoots and narrow, leathery-scaled cones borne near the ends of the shoots. A large genus of ornamental conifers ranging from large trees to compact dwarf cultivars.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeConifers, Trees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
Native toEurope
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, acid or neutral soil. See conifer cultivation for more advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to adelgids, red spider mite and conifer aphid
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus