Norway Spruce
Picea abies · Evergreen Coniferous Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer, Shade Tree, Ornamental, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Picea abies), notable for its characteristic pendulous branchlets on mature trees.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 7, tolerating cold winter temperatures exceptionally well.
About This Tree
A large, fast-growing evergreen conifer featuring a straight trunk, pyramidal form in youth that often becomes more graceful and weeping as mature secondary branches droop downward. It has dense foliage, produces cylindrical brown cones, and serves as a major timber and landscape tree.
Leaf Characteristics
Needle-like leaves that are four-sided, stiff, sharp-pointed, dark green, about 0.5 to 1 inch long, attached singly on raised peg-like structures (sterigmata) along the twig.
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown to reddish-brown bark that becomes thin and scaly or flaking on younger stems, developing shallow fissures and small plates as the tree ages.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe; widely naturalized and planted throughout temperate North America and other regions globally.
Growing Season
Evergreen year-round with active growth taking place in the spring as bright green new candles emerge. Cones mature in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for best growth, though it tolerates very light shade. Prefers moderate moisture with well-drained soil, but establishes good drought tolerance once mature.
Mature Size
Expected mature height of 40 to 60 feet (sometimes up to 100 feet or more in native ranges), with a spread of 25 to 30 feet. Growth rate is medium to fast.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for timber, windbreaks, and Christmas trees. Exhibits good adaptability to various soils, though it dislikes poorly drained or waterlogged sites.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides essential shelter, thermal cover, and nesting sites for various birds and small mammals. Seeds are consumed by squirrels, crossbills, and other finches.