Norway spruce - Pinaceae Picea abies

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Foliage

Bud

Fruit

Form

Video

Taxonomy

Cladegymnosperm
FamilyPinaceae
GenusPicea
Speciesabies
Common NameNorway spruce
iTree CodePIAB

Plant Form

FormTree: medium to large, pyramidal form with dropping branches
Height100 feet
Spread40 feet
DeciduousNo

Identification Description

Foliagegreen attached via a wooden peg (sterigma), square in cross-section (easily rolls between thumb and index finger), pointed Leaf Type  Information Icon Needle
Needles1
Barkgray flaky, scaly with plates when older; resinous at wounds
BudLight brown or reddish brown similar in color to twig, about 1/4 as tall as needles, scales appear to be unfolding outwards
Twigorange-brown with drooping curtain-like branchlets
Pollen Cone female: purplish red/ pink in color, originate from terminal ends of branches, found throughout crown; male and female on the same tree (monoecious)
Seed Conelarge cone with thin-stiff scales 6-8” long
Fall Colorgreen

Site Characteristics

USDA Zones   info for zones pH LevelsSalt Tolerance
Min1b Min3.7 SoilModerate
Max7b Max7.5 SprayModerate

Shade ToleranceDrought ToleranceAllelopathy
Tolerant Moderate Unknown

Species Status

Nebraska Native
U.S. Native
Region of OriginEuropean Alps, Balkan mountains, Carpathians, Scandinavia
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