University of Illinois Home Contact Search
UI Plants Woody Ornamentals
Advanced Search
Select a Plant
ResourcesLinks
 Plant Details
habit
leaves
buds
stems
flowers
fruits
fallcolor
bark
culture

 

 

 


Picea abies



More Photos
Previous PhotoPhoto #0Photo #1Photo #2Selected Photo 

 

Picea abies
Norway spruce

Culture: The Norway spruce prefers moderately moist, sandy, acidic, well-drained soils in full sun with a cold climate, but will survive in average soils with adequate moisture. It will not tolerate hot, dry, polluted conditions, but does transplant readily. This species was widely used as a windbreak plant around farmhouses in the Midwest. Early nurseries often gave seedlings of this species as a bonus for buying their fruit trees. It has a fast growth rate. Many dwarf cultivars exist of this popular species, but they are mostly found in botanic gardens and arboreta. Because of its very large size proper planning should be given to its placement. It's easy to find examples in the landscape of houses that have been "swallowed up" by this species.

Numerous pests including red spider, spruce gall aphid, spruce budworm, borers and weevils, trunk and root rots, and needle rusts. Avoidance of hot dry areas and occasional watering during a drought will do much to prevent these problems.

Usage: Effective as a windbreak or screen, providing adequate room is available. It is a gracefully beautiful tree in its youth and middle age. Tends to become open and somewhat ratty with old age.

 
All information on this site is copyright protected. Please see our copyright statement.  
©2025  Gary J. Kling, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Christopher P. Lindsey, hort.net, NCSA
  Mark E. Zampardo, College of Lake County