Picea abies (Norway Spruce) is an evergreen tree that is native to northern regions of Europe. Norway Spruce is popular for its bonsai and timber qualities as well as being among one of Europe’s most popular Christmas trees. This species of spruce also has medicinal uses and, in some countries can be made into beer.
Suitable for Cold and Temperate climates.
Picea abies is commonly known as both the Norway Spruce and the European Spruce. It has the largest seed cones of any spruce growing up to 17cm (7 inches) long.
The Norway spruce has a large distribution across Europe and North America as it is commercially planted for its wood and as a species widely used in both continents as a Christmas tree.
For more varieties that are ideal for bonsai growing click here.
Growth
Picea abies is a coniferous, evergreen tree that grows to a maximum height of 55 metres (180 feet) and a maximum width of 10 metres (33 feet). Norway Spruce makes for a fast-growing young tree and can achieve a rapid 1 metre (3 feet) per year until it reaches 25 years old. Leaves are dark green, needle-like with blunt tips and have inconspicuous stomatal lines.
Seed cones have blunt triangular pointed scale tips and take around 7 months to turn brown. The Norway Spruce is tolerant of a wide range of soils, extremely hardy and drought tolerant and makes a beautiful driveway, feature or bonsai tree.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Pinaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold and Temperate climate
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-30 to 30°C / -25 to 85°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil must be well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
55 metres (180 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 10 metres (33 feet)
pH:
4.0-6.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium
POLLINATION:
Wind Pollinated
MATURITY:
30-35 Years
GERMINATION RATES:
70-75%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak 24 hours
Cold Stratification for 4 weeks, post sowing germination averages around 3-4 weeks.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium-Hard
SEEDS PER GRAM:
110
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Some
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 4 years.
FACTS ABOUT PICEA ABIES (Norway Spruce)
Norway Spruce is the most widely planted of all spruce varieties. Popular as a Christmas tree, the Norwegian capital of Oslo annually provides the cities of London, Washington D.C. and Edinburgh a specimen for their Christmas displays. This is in gratitude for the aid of these countries during the Second World War.
The oldest individual specimen of Picea abies was discovered in 2012 in a nature reserve of Buskerud County, Norway and was found to be 532 years old.
The tree is high in Vitamin C and was once used to prevent scurvy and is also the primary source for spruce beer. The Vitamin C content can be extracted via a tea that comes from the shoot tips or even eaten straight from the tree when light green and new in spring.
Norway Spruce shoot tips have been used in traditional Austrian medicine internally (as syrup or tea) and externally (as baths, for inhalation, as ointments, as resin application or as tea) for treatment of disorders of the respiratory tract, skin, locomotor system, gastrointestinal tract and infections.
For more information on the medicinal and general uses of the Norway Spruce click here.
