Norway Spruce
Picea abies · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer, Shade Tree, Forest Tree, Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (Picea abies)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 7; very cold-hardy and adaptable to various northern climates.
About This Tree
A large, fast-growing evergreen conifer with a pyramidal shape. It is distinctive for its secondary drooping branchlets that hang vertically from the horizontal main branches, giving it a weeping appearance at maturity.
Leaf Characteristics
Needle-like foliage, 0.5 to 1 inch long, four-sided (can be rolled between fingers), dark green, and attached to the twig by a small woody peg (pulvinus).
Bark Characteristics
Grey-brown and relatively smooth on young trees, becoming reddish-brown and scaly or flaky with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Northern and Central Europe; widely naturalized in North America and used for reforestation.
Growing Season
Evergreen with year-round foliage; new growth (candles) appears in late spring; seed-bearing cones mature in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun is preferred; requires moist, well-drained soils; moderate drought tolerance once established but prefers consistent moisture.
Mature Size
Height of 40-60 feet (up to 100+ in the wild), spread of 25-30 feet, fast growth rate (2-3 feet per year), lifespan of 150-200 years.
Special Characteristics
High deer resistance; excellent windbreak or screen tree; produces the largest cones of any spruce (4-7 inches long); high timber value for paper pulp and musical instruments.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides crucial winter cover for birds and small mammals; seeds within cones are a food source for squirrels and crossbills; serves as a host for various larvae.