Norway Spruce
Picea abies · Evergreen Coniferous Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Wild type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 7, tolerating cold winter temperatures and adapting well to northern continental climates.
About This Tree
Large, fast-growing evergreen conifer with a straight trunk and a pyramidal to conical form. Features characteristic drooping branchlets on mature trees, dense dark green foliage, and pendulous cylindrical seed cones.
Leaf Characteristics
Needle-like leaves that are four-sided (quadrangular), stiff, dark green, about 0.5 to 1 inch long, attached individually to the twig on tiny peg-like projections called sterigmata.
Bark Characteristics
Reddish-brown to greyish-brown bark that becomes scaly, flaky, and shallowly fissured with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe; widely planted across temperate North America and other regions globally.
Growing Season
Evergreen with active growth occurring in spring and early summer when new light-green shoots emerge; dormant through the winter months.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun; requires moderate watering when young but develops decent drought tolerance once established, preferring well-drained moist soils.
Mature Size
Expected mature height of 40 to 60 feet (can reach up to 100+ feet in native habitats) with a spread of 25 to 30 feet; moderate to fast growth rate; long-lived.
Special Characteristics
Valued for timber, paper pulp, and as a traditional Christmas tree. Highly wind-firm when established and frequently used for windbreaks and shelterbelts.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides thermal cover and nesting sites for birds and small mammals. Seeds are consumed by squirrels, crossbills, and other finches.