Norway Spruce

Picea abies

Pinacea · coniferous tree · introduced

Last updated March 9, 2026

Data Coverage 4 of 6 dimensions

Site Data

Threats

Cultivars

Phenology

GDD Thresholds

Puget Sound

Picea abies (Pinaceae) is a fast-growing evergreen conifer native to northern and central Europe. It reaches 40 to 60 feet in cultivation (taller in the wild), forming a dense pyramidal crown with drooping branch tips. Needles are dark green, stiff, and four-sided. Pendulous cones (4 to 6 inches) are the largest of any spruce species.

Norway spruce grows in full sun on moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Over 150 cultivars have been selected, ranging from dwarf bun forms to weeping specimens. The species is widely used for windbreaks, hedging, and Christmas trees. It is susceptible to spider mites, spruce gall adelgids, and needle cast diseases, particularly in hot, dry conditions. Hardy in Zones 2a to 8b.

Quick Facts

Height

40–60 ft

Spread

32 ft

Growth Rate

Slow

Light

Sun to Part Shade

Soil

Moist

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zone Zones 2a–8b

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Origin

northern and central Europe

Phenological Calendar

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
New growth flush BBCH 11	Feb 15-Mar 15	Lighter-colored new growth visible at branch tips
Bloom start BBCH 61	Apr 1-Apr 30	First open flowers visible; flowers yellow
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Apr 15-May 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: brown
Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Fruit fully colored and ripened; seed dispersal may begin

Diseases (16)

Thekopsora minima and Naohidemyces vaccinii Rust Nothophaeocryptopus gaeumannii Rhizosphaera Needle Cast abiotic (spray oil residue) Oil Discoloration Of Foliage Botrytis cinerea Botrytis Blight Abiotic or viral Bud Failure Cylindrocarpon spp. (now Ilyonectria spp.) Cylindrocarpon Root Rot Cytospora canker Cytospora Canker Several soilborne Damping-off Many conifers Drought Injury Heterobasidion annosum Heterobasidion Root Disease [VERIFY] Needle Distortion Phytophthora spp. (P Phytophthora Root Rot Phaeolus schweinitzii Schweinitzii root and butt rot Sparassis crispa (syn. S Sparassis Root Rot Stem decay Stem Decay Diaporthe vaccinii or Diplodia tip blight agents Tip Blight

Pests (15)

Elatobium abietinum Spruce aphid Pissodes strobi White pine weevil Oligonychus ununguis Spruce spider mite Coleotechnites piceaella Spruce needleminer Choristoneura fumiferana Spruce budworm Physokermes piceae Spruce bud scale Chionaspis pinifoliae Pine needle scale Orgyia pseudotsugata Douglas-fir tussock moth Adelges cooleyi Cooley spruce gall adelgid Dioryctria spp. Coneworm Cacoecimorpha pronubana Carnation tortrix Hemiberlesia ithacae Hemlock scale Lophocampa argentata Silverspotted tiger moth Cephalcia spp. Western webspinning sawfly Webworm

Cultivars (5)

'Cupressina'

Common name: Cupressina Norway Spruce; Mature height: 1 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 3

'Gold Drift'

Common name: Gold Drift Weeping Norway Spruce

Hardy to USDA Zone 3

'Nidiformis'

Common name: Nest Spruce Bird's Nest Spruce; Mature height: 4–6 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 2

'Little Gem'

'Pendula'