Norway Spruce

Picea abies
Norway spruce

Picea abies is native to Europe and commonly known as the European spruce or Norway spruce. It is a large evergreen conifer that grows 115 to 180 feet tall with a trunk diameter up to 5 feet. The Norway spruce is now naturalized in some parts of the United States. The Norwegian capital city, Oslo, sends a tree to New York, Washington, DC, London, and Edinburgh each winter as a token of gratitude for aid during World War II.

Identifying Characteristics:

1. Leaves are needlelike, at least four times longer than wide.
2. Needles occur singly, not in clusters.
3. Buds are round or egg-shaped and have blunt tips.
4. Needles are on woody projections on the stem.
5. Bud scales are pressed tightly together; buds are small, less than ¼ inch long.
6. Needles are green.