Picea abies is a common, large, pyramidal evergreen tree that serves as a bold accent or windbreak in the landscape. Norway Spruce is also available in dwarf and weeping forms that can be used for architectural and accent elements in the landscape.
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F E A T U R E S |
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Form
-large evergreen tree; 80' tall x 30' wide
-upright pyramidal, becoming conical with age
-somewhat horizontal secondary branches and pendulous branchlets
-medium rate |
Foliage
-dark green needles to 1" long
-clustered on the upper two-thirds of the stem, with the needles pointing forward and therefore "soft" to the grip of the hand around the stem |
Flowers
-inconspicuous cones
-monoecious |
Fruit
-cones to 5" long, in the upper one-third of the tree
-light green with a purplish cast when immature, becoming brown with maturity |
Twig
-light brown with an orange cast
-needle scars raised on the stem |
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Trunk
-thick gray scales with age |
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C U L T
U R E
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Culture
-full sun
-prefers a moist, acid, well-drained soil but can tolerate adverse conditions, as long as it is not placed in wet soils or shady sites
-virtually no disease or pest problems
-abundantly available in B&B form
-young trees are usually sheared during nursery production for a fuller, denser appearance at transplanting, as the young tree is naturally very open in its branching habit
-recovers quickly from transplant shock; it is a dependable favorite for screen or windbreak plantings, which are often neglected (and for all practical purposes not watered except by rain and snow) after transplanting
-trees of 4-10' size should be staked for 2 yrs. after transplanting to prevent windthrow |
Hardiness
-zones 2 to 7
Origin
-native to Northern and Central Europe
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U S A G E |
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Assets
-evergreen tree with a classical alpine shape
-large evergreen tree with a medium growth rate
-branches to the ground
-pendulous branchlets give a reverse vertical effect
Liabilities
-can exhibit decline and dieback under severe heat and drought stress |
Function
-specimen, shade, or focal point tree
-windbreak when in rows
-large evergreen pyramidal tree
Texture
-bold texture throughout its life and thick density at maturity (fine texture in youth if sheared, thin density in youth if unsheared) |
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S E L
E C T I 0 N S |
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Varieties
and Cultivars
- Search
OSU PlantFacts for additional plants in this species
Alternates
-large evergreen conifers that are used as specimens, screens, or windbreaks in sunny sites (Abies concolor, Picea pungens, Pinus strobus, Pseudotsuga menziesii, etc.) |