Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

How much light does a Norway Spruce need?

Norway spruce prefers full sun, which NC State Extension describes as 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed as acceptable by the Cornell University woody plants database. Both full sun and part shade fall inside the listed range, with full sun marked as the preferred choice.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2

How often to water a Norway Spruce

Medium is the water level recorded for Norway spruce. NC State Extension says the tree dislikes heat, wet feet, and hot, dry summers. Its soil is listed as well drained and moist. Cornell describes consistently moist, well-drained soil, and NC State lists good drainage.

• Water: Medium¹

Best soil for a Norway Spruce

Plan on well drained, moist soil for Norway spruce. Cornell University describes consistently moist, well-drained soil, and NC State Extension lists good drainage. Cornell also says the tree can tolerate acid to alkaline soil, with a pH from 5.0 to 8.0. NC State adds that the tree dislikes wet feet. Soil that drains well and stays moist is the combination the listed facts describe.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and moist^1,2
• Soil pH: pH 5–8²

Hardiness and temperature

Norway spruce is listed for hardiness zones 2a through 7b. NC State Extension names every half-zone from 2a to 7b. The same source says the tree dislikes heat and hot, dry summers. The zone range is the only cold figure on file, since no cited source records a minimum temperature. It is a needled evergreen.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–7b¹

Pruning a Norway Spruce

Pruning Norway spruce is light work, with two approaches listed: removing dead growth only and light shaping. Clemson Extension describes removing about one-half of the new shoots while the new growth is in the candle stage. Removing dead growth only is the more limited of the two approaches.

• Pruning: Remove dead growth only and Light shaping³

How to plant a Norway Spruce

Expect a large tree: Norway spruce reaches 60–100 ft (18.29–30.48 m) tall and 25–30 ft (7.62–9.14 m) wide. Choose a site within zones 2a–7b, the range listed for it. Give it full sun or part shade, with well drained, moist soil. In the lower 48 US states it is an introduced species. NC State rates its growth as rapid, while Utah State University Extension says medium.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–7b¹

Winter care

A needled evergreen, Norway spruce carries its foliage through winter, as the USDA Forest Service describes an evergreen tree. The listed range is zones 2a–7b, and no cited source records a minimum temperature or winter protection. Compare your own zone with that range before planting.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–7b¹

How to propagate a Norway Spruce

Norway spruce can be propagated by seed, stem cuttings and grafting. NC State Extension's advice is simply to propagate it by seed. The USDA Forest Service notes that Norway spruce roots can be used as grafting stock for white spruce. That is a use of this tree's roots in grafting, rather than a way to start a new Norway spruce.

• Propagation: Seed, stem cuttings and grafting^1,4

Common problems

Insects recorded on Norway spruce include aphids, bagworms, spruce budworm, borers, spruce spider mites and eastern spruce gall adelgid. Diseases listed are cytospora canker, wood decay, needle cast and rust. NC State Extension says the tree is susceptible to all four of these diseases.

• Common pests: aphids, bagworms, spruce budworm, borers, spruce spider mites and eastern spruce gall adelgid^1,5
• Common diseases: cytospora canker, wood decay, needle cast and rust¹

Questions and answers

How much sun does Norway spruce need?

It prefers full sun, which NC State Extension describes as 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Cornell University also lists part shade as acceptable for this tree.

How big does Norway spruce get?

Cornell gives its mature height as 60–100 ft (18.29–30.48 m). NC State Extension gives the width as 25–30 ft (7.62–9.14 m). Leave room for a large evergreen tree.

Which hardiness zones suit Norway spruce?

It is listed for zones 2a through 7b, according to NC State Extension. The same source says the tree dislikes heat and hot, dry summers. It prefers well drained, moist soil.