Picea abies
You ’ve plausibly admire it at Rockefeller Center in New York City or towering proudly over a coke - extend park .
Maybe you ’ve brush past its conversant scent in a wintertime wreath or as the centerpiece of a holiday display .
The Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) is one of those iconic evergreens that seems to be everywhere and for good reason .
aboriginal to the cool wood of northern , fundamental , and eastern Europe , it ’s every bit at home across North America .
These imposing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree have earned their place among the most beloved conifers , gracing both grand landscapes and suburban yards with their authoritative conical form .
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While they are generally pyramidical giants , often over 100 invertebrate foot improbable , cultivated mixed bag offer up nanus type perfect for rock and roll gardens , elegant weeping choice , and even ground covers .
Whether you ’re dreaming of a picturesque privacy screen , a hardy windbreak , or a towering lawn specimen , there ’s a Norway spruce for just about every landscape .
And if you ’re ready to append this impressive evergreen plant to your garden , here ’s what we ’ll cover :
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
How to Grow
Cultivars to Select
Maintenance
Propagation
Pests and Disease
Norway spruce is aconiferthat uprise natively in Norway and across most of the rest of Europe in cooler regions all the way up to the Arctic .
In the US , that means anywhere in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 7 , or further south if the summers are cool such as the Pacific Northwest .
In its autochthonic reach , Norway spruce can grow virtually 200 foot tall , but in the landscape , we ’re look at closer to 60 feet or so .
Still telling , but much more achievable . It has a pyramidal shape that meet out speedily as the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree matures .
When untested , the branches are upright and they take on an attractive , slenderly drooping shape when matured .
The loaded , four - sided needle are arranged spirally and are up to one inch long . When the cone develop , they are cernuous and immature to reddish blue .
As they senesce , they take on a browned or silvery chromaticity and can be up to six in long . The virile pollen cones are pink red .
uncouth name(s):Norway or European spruce
Plant type : Evergreen conifer
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):2 - 7
aboriginal to : Europe
Bloom prison term / season : Evergreen
photo : Full sun
Soil case : Loam , sandy loam , well - draining
Soil pH:5.5–7.0 , slightly acidic to achromatic
Time to maturity:50 + years
ripe size : Up to 200 feet ( lowly cultivars uncommitted )
Best uses : shelterbelt , screen , specimen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , woodland , meadow
Taxonomy
fiat : Pinales
Family : Pinaceae
Genus : Picea
Species : Abies
Whether you want to create a cover or implant a statuesque specimen in your landscape , let ’s hash out how to grow these plants .
One important consideration when planting is the root structure .
Norway spruce has shallow roots that like to circulate out so you do n’t desire to grow the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree anywhere near sidewalks and driveways .
When they ’re untried , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can grow up to three feet in a single yr , but they slow down a little as they mature .
Climate
Norway spruce is native to stale regions , it does n’t do well in heat and humidness .
The tree can palm brief period above 90 ° degree Fahrenheit , but ideally needs daytime heights of between 65 and 75 ° F .
On the other side , the trees can live to -40 ° F and even below .
Light
Most large landscape trees involve full sunshine . They will finally turn taller than other plants around them in any case , so put your Norway spruce in a spot that receives six or more hours of direct light per day .
It ’s whole o.k. if young specimens are found in partial sunshine , which intend four to six time of day of lineal light . They ’ll finally stretch up into the full sun pic they require .
There are many cultivars that will tolerate a bit of refinement , so if you have a glowering topographic point , calculate for one of those .
Soil
Norway spruce prefers to grow in loamy , sandlike , slightly acidic dirt with full drain . A pH of 5.5 to 7.0 is ideal .
That enunciate , this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is one adaptable plant . It will spring up in some clay , slimly alkaline soil , or occasionally squiffy soil . If you dwell near the coast , a moderate amount of salty air is fine , too .
Water
When a large Norway spruce is established , you do n’t require to worry about watering unless there is an extended drouth .
For untested or dwarf specimens , you want to give the plants about an in of water per week if the pelting is n’t providing it .
employ a rain gaugeto establish how much rain your garden is find and if it ’s less than an inch a week , you ’ll call for to step in with irrigation .
Fertilizing
You should test your soil before you embark on any fertilizing regime . That way , you’re able to determine what nutrient , if any , are lacking in the dirt in your backyard .
It ’s a dissipation of money and can be tough for the environment if you supply chemicals to the soil when your plant does n’t need them .
you’re able to contact your local extension service business office to see if they conduct filth tests or simplypurchase a kit onlineand do it yourself .
When you get the result , you ’ll know precisely how to better the territory .
In the absence seizure of a soil trial run , you may fertilize your Norway spruce in the spring and recent summertime with an all - purpose food with an NPK of 9 - 9 - 9 , 11 - 11 - 11 , or exchangeable .
These Tree course hybridise with other spruces , particularly Siberian spruce , and you ’ll feel set of hybrid cultivars on the market .
Norway Spruce
If you desire to grow the metal money works , you may find it available in a variety of sizesat dissipated Growing Trees .
The vast legal age of cultivar have been bred to be much minuscule than the species , so if it ’s sizing you ’re proceed for , stick with the original .
Otherwise , here are a few worthwhile options :
Acrocona
‘ Acrocona ’ is one of my best-loved Norway spruce cultivar .
Not only can the tree tolerate fond wraith , but it look fantastic when the young lime tree green acerate leaf are contrast against the pink - purple strobilus .
When the cones are fledged , they turn tan and the old acerate leaf are dark green .
‘ Acrocona ’
The tree is upright with a drooping contour to the branch . It grows up to 20 animal foot tall , but it takes age to get there .
If you ’d like to grab one for your railway yard , Maple Ridge Nursery carries‘Acrocona ’ in one- and three - gal container .
Bird’s Nest
Bird ’s nest spruce aka ‘ Nidiformis ’ is a popular option as it ’s dull growing and will take ten to reach its eventual eight - animal foot - tall by 12 - foot - all-embracing mature size .
The foliage produce in a dense orb - frame with long , hoary - immature needles . It will eventually develop a belittled natural depression in the center , which is why it ’s known as “ skirt ’s nest . ”
Easygoing with a big impact , this cultivar is definitely an choice worth consider . you may find plants available in # 1 , # 2 , or # 5 containersat Nature Hills Nursery .
Cupressina
If you ’re looking for a columnar Norway spruce , ‘ Cupressina ’ fit the placard . This cultivar matures to 30 feet marvelous and just six feet wide .
It ’s perfect for sphere with lots of laboured snow .
‘ Cupressina ’
While columnar arborvitae might experience humiliated or bent subdivision , ‘ Cupressina ’ will abide strong under the exercising weight of the snow .
you’re able to find this columnlike stunneravailable at Fast Growing Trees .
Gregoryana Parsonii
Many dwarf Norway spruce have mounding or low - grow forms . But ‘ Gregoryana Parsonii ’ look like a miniature tree .
‘ Gregoryana Parsonii ’
It has an irregular pyramidic shape and can maturate to about 10 foot tall and eight feet wide at most . It takes years to get to that size , though , and will in all likelihood be half that in a decade .
This rare option isavailable at Maple Ridge Nursery .
Little Gem
‘ trivial Gem ’ is just that . It has a mound shape and stick around tiny at just three feet wide and two feet tall , though it can grow about twice as large in ideal weather .
‘ footling Gem ’
The deep dark-green color and short needles makes it a gem in any rock , Japanese , cottage , or formal garden . It ’s a low - maintenance number of texture and color .
you could happen ‘ Little Gem ’ plantsavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
Pendula
‘ Pendula ’ aka weeping spruce is a sight to behold . This variety grow up to 15 human foot marvelous and about the same wide , with longsighted , pendulous subdivision .
‘ Pendula ’
you may take it upright for a more weeping sort or get it spread wide and low-down .
you’re able to find cry spruceavailable at Fast Growing Trees .
Pumila
‘ Pumila ’ is a minuscule cutie , often just called midget Norway spruce . This cultivar grows up to four feet tall and five feet wide with a beautifully rounded form .
‘ Pumila ’
It involve no care to keep its petite , compact shape . If you need an stress for a minor place , this one is ideal .
you’re able to find plantsavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
A mature Norway spruce offshoot can be a invertebrate foot or more in diam . They ’re self-aggrandizing !
You do n’t desire to mess with them unless absolutely necessary to remove dead , die , diseased , or deformed growth .
you may slay young , minor arm if you need to furnish some bod , especially if you are growing a weeping type or you want to keep yours petite .
It ’s difficult to start a Norway spruce from seed and it wo n’t go true if you have collected seeds from a loan-blend .
Plus , only cones on Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that are several 10 old tend to produce seedlings successfully .
If you want to try acquire from seed , we have aguide to propagate pine trees from seedthat will enshroud the integral operation .
If you want to reproduce a Norway spruce you love , you may take cuttings .
From Cuttings
Take cuttings from vernal growth that is still immature and pliable , avoiding severely , thick wood .
you’re able to give the cut a gentle towboat if you want to be certain roots have developed . Then , transplanting into the garden as described below .
Transplanting
To transfer a potted Norway spruce from the nursery or one you started from a cutting , dig a hole that is twice as wide and just a bit deeper than the get container .
Remove the plant from its growing pot and lightly loosen up the roots so they grow outwards rather than back into themselves .
Set the source egg in the hole and backfill with soil . Do n’t bury the plant any deeply than it was in its original container . Water well and add more filth if it settles .
Managing Pests and Disease
A healthy Norway spruce is much less probable to hurt problems from gadfly or diseases than one that is accentuate .
With appropriate spatial arrangement , water , and lightheaded , there are only a few issues you ’ll need to worry about .
Pests
Most establish specimen grown in appropriate conditions should be able-bodied to shrug off some pesterer alimentation unless it terminate up being a peculiarly large infestation .
Here are the most common ones to observe for :
There are few plants that are n’t visited by aphid . For the most part , I do n’t find that they ’re much of a problem unless they build up into large numbers .
These diminutive cosh - sucking insects feed on the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and produce honeydew melon , a sweet substance that can attractsooty mould .
discover how to identify and deal with aphids here .
Bagworms are mostly an ornamental issue , though they can count passably nasty .
These caterpillars are moth larvae that form “ traveling bag ” out of silk webbing , leaving your tree reckon like it ’s covered in giant spider sacks .
you’re able to sweep them out , use a pesticide that containsBacillus thuringiensis , or just ignore them . They wo n’t usually harm your tree diagram .
Gall Adelgids
Eastern slick up gall adelgid ( Adelges abietis ) and Cooley spiff up gall adelgid ( Adelges cooleyi ) are both aphid - like insects that cause galls to evolve on the tree .
They ’re common on spruce , but they also favor Douglas firs to complete their lifecycle , so they ’re only common in arena that have both .
When they feed , two to four - inch long cucumber - mould growths train in the spring .
fortunately , the damage is unremarkably modest . It can have some slowed growth and distortion , particularly on young specimens but infestation usually only happen every few years so the tree diagram has time to recover .
If you require to endeavor to get rid of them , you ’ll require to do so in the spring before the galls develop . Spray your tree with insecticidal Georgia home boy or a pesticide that stop pyrethrins .
wanderer mites are the worst pest trouble on Norway spruce . They have it away raging , wry weather and when they have the atmospheric condition they like , they can promptly get out of control .
Often , you wo n’t actualise that there ’s a job until you see the needles turning lily-livered and falling off the tree .
If you see closely , you may sometimes see the teeny flyspeck critters scuttle along the acerate leaf and barque , but mostly you ’ll likely only see the fine webbing .
If you identify wanderer mites and your tree is losing needles , you ’ll need to treat the problem .
Learn how to treat a spider soupcon plague here .
Disease
With pest out of the way , let ’s talk about diseases next .
Cytospora canker sore is a fungous disease caused byLeucostoma kunzei . It ’s most rough-cut in spruce that are damaged , stressed , or overrun with pests .
As the disease develop , large sunken canker shape and these can gird and bolt down entire subdivision .
You ’ll typically see random dead branches covered in yellow , brown , or purple needles and normally lots of resin . During wet weather , spores develop and spread the disease further .
While this disease wo n’t usually kill your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , it will make it expect very surly .
To curb it , you ’ll want to prune off any diagnostic branch and keep doing so every year until there are n’t any .
Needle hurl , due to fungus in theRhizosphaeragenus , is more vernacular on blue spruces , but it can also touch on Norway spruce , particularly those that are emphasise .
darn of needles will twist brown or royal on the lower , inner outgrowth . If you look closely , you might see small black spore on the infected needles .
To handle acerate leaf cast , remove the infected branches and then spray the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with copper fungicide .
fuzz wo n’t eliminate an existing infection but it lay off new ones from developing .
Bonide Copper Fungicide
you’re able to come up Bonide copper fungicideavailable at Arbico Organics . Spray the tree every three hebdomad throughout the spring and summer .
Spruce needle rust fungus is a disease that cause young needles to turn lily-livered with small rusty dark-brown piece .
It ’s induce by fungi in theChrysomyxagenus and when a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is intemperately infect , it will wait jolly pink . The septic needles will drop from the tree diagram in the fall .
Though it ’s ugly , it does n’t really harm the tree diagram and Norway spruce are rarely infected .
It does n’t expect intervention unless you have nearby gloomy , black , or white spruces , which are susceptible .
In that lawsuit , treat these other species preventatively with a copper spray .
Bring a Bit of Norway to Your Garden
in good order cared for , these tree outlast you , your tyke , and many more generation ! Norway spruce delivers true beauty and evergreen sake while being hardy and adaptable .
And to learn coniferous tree in your landscape , check out these guides next :
© demand the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Product photograph via Arbico Organics , truehearted Growing Trees , Maple Ridge Nursery , and Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock .
About
Kristine Lofgren
