| Description | Norway Spruce (Picea abies) is a large conical Spruce tree. The branches on older trees tend to weep. |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (PY-see-uh)(A-bees) |
| Plant Type | Trees Coniferous |
| Hardiness Zone | 3 |
| Sunlight | full |
| Moisture | average to moist |
| Soil & Site | average, moist well drained |
| Fruit | 4-6 inch long cones with wedge-shaped ragged scales, scales over lap (imbricate) |
| Leaves | mostly diamond shaped green needles, sharp pointed, 1/2-1 inch long, each needle is borne on a raised woody peg called a sterigma, spirally arranged around stem |
| Stems | old stems have grayish brown or dark purple bark |
| Dimensions | conical form, can read over 100 feet in native sites, 40-60 feet in landscapes, strongly pyramidal, primary branches are slightly upturned but secondary branches become pendulous as the tree matures |
| Propagation | seeds |
| Misc Facts | The roots are shallow rooted on poorly drained soils and subject to wind fall. Where I grew up, it was common to see wind blown down trees, laying flat on the ground with a large patch of roots and soil turned 45 degrees at the base. |
| Author's Notes | The primary branches are slightly upturned but secondary branches become pendulous as the tree matures. I find this an easy way to recognize this tree. This a very distinct form. |
| Notes & Reference | #184-Michigan Trees (Burton V. Barnes, Warren H. Wagner), #181-Native Trees for North American Landscapes (Guy Sternberg), #144-Missouri Botanical Gardens web site (www.missouribotanicalgarden.org) |
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