What hardiness zones is Picea abies suitable for?

Picea abies is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

How much water does Picea abies need?

Picea abies has Medium water needs.

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Coniferous Trees

Picea abies

Norway Spruce

Pinaceae

Northern and central Europe (Scandinavia to Balkans)

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height60-100 feet (18-30 m)

Width25-40 feet (7.6-12 m)

Maturity35 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 7

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (light)

Maintenancelow

Overview

Picea abies is a large evergreen conifer reaching 60-100 feet (18-30 m) tall with a spread of 25-40 feet (7.6-12 m), developing a strongly pyramidal form with horizontal main branches and distinctively pendulous (drooping) secondary branchlets — the most strongly pendulous of any common spruce. The pendulous branchlets become more pronounced with age, giving mature specimens a dramatic, curtain-like quality. Needles are 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm), four-sided (like all spruces), stiff, dark green, spirally arranged on the twig — needles can be rolled between the fingers (a diagnostic spruce feature). Cones are the largest of any spruce: 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) long, cylindrical, pendant, light brown, produced abundantly on mature trees. Bark is grayish-brown, scaly, becoming deeply furrowed and platy on old trees. Growth rate is moderate to fast at 12-24 inches (30-61 cm) per year. Native to northern and central Europe — the dominant forest tree of Scandinavia and the Alps. The traditional Christmas tree of Europe. Extremely long-lived — the Old Tjikko clonal colony in Sweden has a root system dating to approximately 9,500 years. Hundreds of cultivars exist, from prostrate groundcovers ('Repens', 'Reflexa') to miniature globes ('Little Gem') to weeping forms ('Pendula'). In the Pacific Northwest, performs well in cool conditions; can suffer in hot, dry sites and is susceptible to spider mites in such conditions.

Native Range

Native to northern and central Europe, from Scandinavia south through the Alps and Carpathians to the Balkans. The dominant conifer of Scandinavian boreal forests. Widely planted in North America since colonial times.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a large specimen, windbreak, screen, or park tree where the strongly pyramidal form with pendulous branchlets can develop fully, spaced 25-35 feet (7.6-10.7 m) apart. The traditional Christmas tree form. Not suitable for small residential lots unless using dwarf cultivars. 'Pendula' is a narrow weeping form. 'Little Gem' and 'Nidiformis' are compact forms for small spaces. 'Pusch' is a miniature with ornamental red spring cones. The large pendant cones are ornamentally valuable.

How to Identify

Identified by strongly pyramidal form with horizontal main branches and distinctively pendulous (drooping) secondary branchlets, dark green four-sided stiff needles, and large pendant cones 4-7 inches (10-18 cm). Distinguished from Picea pungens (Colorado spruce) by dark green (not blue-gray) foliage and strongly pendulous (not stiff) secondary branches. Distinguished from Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce) by pendulous branchlets and four-sided (not flattened) needles. The large cones (4-7 inches) are the largest of any spruce — diagnostic when present.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height60' - 100'

Width/Spread25' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 35 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Female strobili are upright, red-purple, appearing at branch tips in spring. Male strobili are red, small, clustered. Mature cones are pendant, 4-7 inches (10-18 cm), the largest of any spruce, light brown, produced abundantly. Cones are ornamentally notable — both the spring red strobili and the mature brown pendant cones.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Red-purple female strobili; red male strobili

Foliage Description

Dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first two growing seasons. Established trees are moderately drought-tolerant but prefer consistent moisture. Plant in full sun. Prefers cool, moist conditions — performs well in the Pacific Northwest. Can suffer in hot, dry, urban heat island conditions. Spider mites are the primary pest concern, especially in warm, dry conditions — monitor and treat with horticultural oil. Needle cast diseases can occur in humid conditions with poor air circulation. Avoid planting in waterlogged soils.

Pruning

Prune in late winter to early spring before new growth. Maintain a single central leader. Remove dead and damaged branches. Lower branches can be removed for clearance but the natural form with branches to the ground is most attractive. Do not shear the species form — it becomes artificial. Dwarf cultivars can be lightly shaped. Avoid removing more than one-third of live growth in a single year.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic