Norway spruce
ExplorePlants
Norway spruce
Picea abies
The Norway spruce is a tall tree with long, green needles and cones. It grows in forests and is known for its strong wood, which is used to make many things, including furniture and musical instruments.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Norway spruce has a classic conical shape with dense, dark green, pointed needles that are stiff and sharp to the touch. Its bark is reddish-brown, flaking in small scales, and it produces large, reddish-brown cones that hang downwards once mature.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyPinaceaeGenusPicea
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
3
Interesting facts
Early European explorers used spruce shoots rich in Vitamin C to prevent scurvy on voyages!
Its strong, lightweight wood is prized for making violins, guitars, and other musical instruments!
Many Christmas trees bought around the world are actually young Norway spruce trees!
The oldest living clonal tree, 'Old Tjikko', is a Norway spruce over 9,550 years old!
Special abilities
Ability
Snow Shaker
Norway spruce has flexible branches that bend under heavy snow, preventing breakage and shedding the snow quickly to avoid damage.
Ability
Resin Repair
Norway spruce can ooze sticky resin from its bark, acting like a natural bandage to seal wounds and protect against pests and fungi.
Ability
Cold Conqueror
Norway spruce has waxy, tough needles that reduce water loss and protect it from freezing damage in harsh winter environments.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 3000-6000 cm
- Spread
- 500-800 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Watch
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red Deer
Cervus elaphus
They browse on young shoots and bark, especially in winter.
eats
Red Squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris
Squirrels extract and eat the nutritious seeds from its cones.
eats
Common Crossbill
Loxia curvirostra
Their unique beaks are perfectly adapted to pry open spruce cones.
symbiotic with
Brown Roll-rim
Paxillus involutus
This fungus helps the spruce roots absorb nutrients from the soil.
Traits
Cold Hardy
Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
Coniferous
Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Stay away from the sharp needles and cones, and don't climb too high in the trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Norway spruce?
3000-6000 cm
How wide does Norway spruce spread?
500-800 cm
When does Norway spruce bloom?
Spring
Is Norway spruce edible?
Yes
Is Norway spruce toxic?
None
What is Norway spruce's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Norway spruce pollinated?
Wind
Where is Norway spruce usually found?
Forests
Snap Map
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