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Picea abies

Picea abies

Norway spruce

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Description

Picea abies (Norway spruce) is a large, evergreen conifer and the most used tree in European production of softwood. The native range of Norway spruce extends across Northern Europe, the Alps, the Carpathian Mountains and the Balkans. It is a dominant tree at cooler elevations where it forms dense forests. Picea abies can also occur however in mixed forests with Fagus sylvatica, Larix decidua, Juniperus communis and Sorbus aucuparia. As a large tree it can reach a height of approximately 30-55 metres, forming a beautiful pyramidal crown. It usually has a single stem and horizontal dangling branches and upright tips.

The evergreen, pointed needles are glossy dark green and arranged in pairs of two. The cones of Picea abies are the longest amongst the Picea species, with pointed scales. The winged seeds are small and distributed by the wind. They are also beloved by squirrels and birds. The male flowers are yellow and the female flowers are pink-red. The thin grey-brown bark of Norway spruce flakes in small platelets and in older trees takes on a violet sheen.

Picea abies is a long-lived, fast-growing tree that is suitable for larger gardens and parks where space is available. Norway spruce prefers cool locations and well-drained acid soils and can withstand very cold winters. In long periods of drought, Norway spruce cannot create sufficient resin, allowing the spruce bark beetle to penetrate, and this has led to a great decline in its European range of distribution. As a semi-pioneer or climax tree, it grows with Betula pendula as a ‘nurse tree’ and requires full sun or partial shade. Norway spruce is widely used and planted as a Christmas tree. Young shoots contain a lot of vitamin C and are used to make syrups or tea in traditional medicine.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees conifers woodland planting stock

Use

Location

park large garden cemetery countryside

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

landscape planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

narrow pyramidal narrow pyramidal

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

30 - 55 m

Width

8 - 10 m

Winter hardiness zone

3B - 8B

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade shade

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

birds owls small mammals

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Picea abies? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Picea abies standard tree
feathered feathered
Picea abies feathered
feathered feathered
Picea abies feathered
leaves leaves
Picea abies leaves
leaves leaves
Picea abies leaves
fruits fruits
Picea abies fruits
bark bark
Picea abies bark

Seasonal colours

Picea abies seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

discrete

Flower colour

yellow pink-red

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green

Leaves

evergreen short needles polished scented

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

striking large cones

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown violet-grey

Bark

peeling smooth

Twigs

Twig colour

red-brown

Twigs

horizontal branches pendulous

Root system

Root system

shallow compact

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
CO²-presentatieladder
Boomfeestdag
British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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E info@ebben.nl

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