![]() The wood is strong for its weight, odorless, but slightly resinous and is of importance in the manufacture of pulp and paper. It has also been a model species for use in tissue culture, and procedures developed in Norway spruce are now being adapted to other tree species of interest. For grafting, Norway spruce is a preferred understock for a number of spruce species. It is a cool climate species and is found at elevations of 3,300 feet to 7,500 feet. Norway spruce has a rather extensive range in Europe, growing from Scandinavia to the Balkans to the Alps. Growth during the first 10 years after field planting is relatively slow and 8 to 11 years are required to grow a 6-7 foot tree. The spruce budworm can also cause damage to buds and foliage, but less so than for white or red spruce.įor Christmas trees, overall color of Norway spruce is fair to excellent, but needle retention is considered poor unless the trees are cut fresh and kept properly watered. A large cone-like gall develops at this point, beyond which all growth ceases. One of the most important pests is the eastern spruce gall aphid, which lays eggs at the base of partially developed leaves near the tips of the twigs. It is generally shallow-rooted and does not produce a taproot, thus is subject to being blown over by wind. Growth is best in full sunlight in deep, rich, moist soils. The species is adapted to cool, temperate climates. The species has a reddish bark, giving it the nickname of “red fir”, which flakes off in scales as the tree matures. Cones mature in one year and ripen from September to November. ![]() These cones are the largest of any spruce species. Norway spruce produces cones 4-7 inches in length, with wedge-shaped scales. Male and female flowers are found on the same tree and are produced in late spring. Additionally, spruce cones fall from the tree after seeds are disseminated, whereas fir cones disintegrate. Although sometimes confused with true firs (Abies), spruces in general have 1) rectangular rather than flat needles, and 2) cones which hang down rather than stand erect on the stem. At the base of each needle is a twig-like projection (sterigmata) which remains after the needle is lost. Leaves (needles) are 4-sided (rectangular in section), 1/2-1 inch long, and sharp or somewhat blunt at the tip. Trees have dark green crown with a triangular shape. It is readily identified by its dark green needles and drooping branchlets. Diameter may reach as much as two feet on older trees. In Europe, Norway spruce grows from 130 to 215 feet in height, but in the United States is seldom more than 130 feet tall. It has escaped cultivation in several localities and is considered naturalized in some of these areas. Originally, a number of plants were established as ornamentals, with Christmas tree plantings being established more recently. Although not native to the Western hemisphere, the species and a number of its varieties are commonly planted here, particularly in southeastern Canada and northeastern United States. ![]() More than 100 forms and varieties have been named. Norway spruce is one of the most important species on the European Continent. Norway spruce seedling with planting card attached.
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