PicAbies_info.html

Picea abies (Norway spruce): Information.
Identifying characteristics: Introduced from Europe and Asia, this conical tree may grow to 100 feet tall in the US, with a stem diameter of 2 feet. Unlike most native species of spruce, the Norway spruce has a drooping habit and twigs are distinctly orange on new growth. The leaves are spirally arranged and usually pointed forward on the branchlet. They are straight, stiff, broadly needle-shaped (but not sharply pointed) and dark green. Leaves are typically 4-sided, 0.5- to 1-inch long and on pedicels which remain on the stem after the leaves have fallen. The cylindrical cones are long (4 to 7 inches), reddish-brown and pendulous. The very rigid, thin, dull brown scales taper to a flat, finely-toothed tip. Buds are non-resinous, conical and reddish-brown with blunt points and recurved bud scales. The young bark is reddish-brown and wrinkled to smooth or papery, becoming purplish-brown and exhibiting small, hard, rounded scales when older. Similar species: Ecology: Distribution: P. abies is the tallest native tree in Europe and an important constituent of Germany's Black Forest. It is planted throughout the US and has naturalized in a few places in the eastern states. Habitat: It is shade tolerant and grows best in shade or part-shade, in deep, rich moist soils. The Norway spruce was once more popular as an ornamental in Iowa than both the blue and white spruces, being faster growing and with a more graceful growth habit. More than 100 cultivars have been developed, including both columnar and dwarf forms. Spruces are susceptible to fire due to their thin bark and are also vulnerable to wind damage. They are attacked by a number of natural pests including the eastern spruce gall aphid which can arrest shoot growth by laying its eggs in the leaf bases near the shoot tip. White pine weevil attack some species and spruce bud worm often attack young stands of timber. Needle blight can cause defoliation of lower branches, and stressed trees are susceptible to canker. Air pollution in large industrial cities can affect the health of spruces grown as ornamentals. Uses: Wood: This spruce is the major introduced spruce used in reforestation in eastern Canada and also in adjacent parts of the US, where it grows more rapidly than the native species. The wood is similar to that of the white spruce (P. glauca) which is light and soft but strong for its weight and is used for pulp, boxes, crates and lumber. This species is one of several spruces selected for use as sound boards of violins, guitars and other stringed instruments due to its resonance characteristics. Stradivarius reportedly used Norway spruce that had previously been used as ship oars for constructing his violins. Burgundy pitch, the resin from the bark, is used for varnishes and in medicinal compounds. Wildlife: A variety of wildlife use the Norway spruce as cover, and grouse and crossbills eat the seeds.

Picea abies (Norway spruce): Information.

Identifying characteristics:
Introduced from Europe and Asia, this conical tree may grow to 100 feet tall in the US, with a stem diameter of 2 feet. Unlike most native species of spruce, the Norway spruce has a drooping habit and twigs are distinctly orange on new growth. The leaves are spirally arranged and usually pointed forward on the branchlet. They are straight, stiff, broadly needle-shaped (but not sharply pointed) and dark green. Leaves are typically 4-sided, 0.5- to 1-inch long and on pedicels which remain on the stem after the leaves have fallen. The cylindrical cones are long (4 to 7 inches), reddish-brown and pendulous. The very rigid, thin, dull brown scales taper to a flat, finely-toothed tip. Buds are non-resinous, conical and reddish-brown with blunt points and recurved bud scales. The young bark is reddish-brown and wrinkled to smooth or papery, becoming purplish-brown and exhibiting small, hard, rounded scales when older.

Similar species:

Ecology:
Distribution: P. abies is the tallest native tree in Europe and an important constituent of Germany's Black Forest. It is planted throughout the US and has naturalized in a few places in the eastern states.

Habitat: It is shade tolerant and grows best in shade or part-shade, in deep, rich moist soils. The Norway spruce was once more popular as an ornamental in Iowa than both the blue and white spruces, being faster growing and with a more graceful growth habit. More than 100 cultivars have been developed, including both columnar and dwarf forms. Spruces are susceptible to fire due to their thin bark and are also vulnerable to wind damage. They are attacked by a number of natural pests including the eastern spruce gall aphid which can arrest shoot growth by laying its eggs in the leaf bases near the shoot tip. White pine weevil attack some species and spruce bud worm often attack young stands of timber. Needle blight can cause defoliation of lower branches, and stressed trees are susceptible to canker. Air pollution in large industrial cities can affect the health of spruces grown as ornamentals.

Uses:
Wood: This spruce is the major introduced spruce used in reforestation in eastern Canada and also in adjacent parts of the US, where it grows more rapidly than the native species. The wood is similar to that of the white spruce (P. glauca) which is light and soft but strong for its weight and is used for pulp, boxes, crates and lumber. This species is one of several spruces selected for use as sound boards of violins, guitars and other stringed instruments due to its resonance characteristics. Stradivarius reportedly used Norway spruce that had previously been used as ship oars for constructing his violins. Burgundy pitch, the resin from the bark, is used for varnishes and in medicinal compounds.

Wildlife: A variety of wildlife use the Norway spruce as cover, and grouse and crossbills eat the seeds.