PICEA ABIES – SPRUCE, NORWAY
Norway Spruce tolerates most soils and transplants easily if balled and burlapped or potted in containers. Trees subjected to drought are much happier if they receive periodic irrigation, although they tolerate drought well. They are well suited for wind breaks and tolerate ice loads well in winter storms. The root system is shallow and dense close to the trunk which makes growing grass difficult. Roots typically grow straight out from the trunk well beyond branch tips.
Rockefeller Center in New York City uses a Norway Spruce each Christmas next to the skating rink and decorates it for the holidays. This tree stands up to ice storms well. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people. The fruit is eaten by purple finch, chickadee, and pine siskin, among others.