Botanical Name:

Picea abies

Common Name:

Norway spruce

Family Name:

Pinaceae – pine family

General Description:

Picea abies is a large, dark green, pyramidal conifer with pendulous branches. It has a commanding presence and is best planted on large scale sites. As is true of most Picea it grows best in a cool moist climate but is very adaptable and grows well under most landscape settings provided enough moisture is supplied during the first years of establishment. Although native to Europe, Picea abies is widely planted throughout the colder zones of North America. There is an extensive selection of cultivars available in the trade.

Zone:

3-7(8)

Resources Consulted:

Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. Champaign: Stipes, 2009. Print.

Earle, C.J., ed. "Picea abies." The Gymnosperm Database. N.p., 2013. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.

"The PLANTS Database." USDA, NRCS. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA, 2014. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.

Creator:

Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper, Professor, College of DuPage

Creation Date:

2014

Keywords/Tags:

Pinaceae, tree, conifer, cone, needle, evergreen, Picea abies, Norway spruce

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