Norway Spruce

Description

For starters, the Norway Spruce Tree can grow to a large height in as little as three years. It will continue to grow rapidly to a mature height of 50 feet. And since it’s a dense tree that easily blocks out wind and neighbors, it’s ideal for use as a privacy barrier, windscreen, or even a traditional showpiece.

Plus, you’ll enjoy its deep green color year-round. Especially since it’s even drought tolerant, too. Believed to be the most cold hardy spruce available, the Norway truly thrives and will grow in any Northern state. Also, the Norway Spruce is the most disease resistant spruce you can find. Any serious disease or insect problems that kill other spruce trees do not affect the Norway Spruce.

Planting

Avoid planting your Norway Spruce too close to sidewalks, buildings, or street rights-of-way. It’s best to plant the tree as soon as you bring it home from the nursery, but it’s important to avoid planting the tree during extremely dry weather and to give it at least six weeks to develop before the first frost of the season. If you need to wait to plant the tree, keep the roots constantly moist.

When you’re ready to plant, dig a large hole twice as wide as the size of the Norway Spruce root ball and just as deep. Dampen the roots in preparation for planting and set the root ball into the hole, being sure the trunk is straight. Back fill the hole with a mixture of your native soil and some gardening soil. Mulch around the base of the spruce to keep weeds and grasses from growing around the planting site.

Watering

The Norway Spruce tolerates acidic soils well but does not do well on dry or deficient soils. During times of drought, additional watering may be needed. Generally, we recommend watering your Norway about once per week.

Fertilizing

Feed your Norway mild, slow-acting fertilizer tabs for the initial growing season and save stronger fertilizers for when the tree is established. Once the tree is established, feed it twice a month during early spring and once a month during the summer months.

Pruning

Prune Norway Spruce Trees in the late winter or early spring. For young trees, follow branch tips back until you find two branches growing to either side. Snip off the center branch growth. Doing this will encourage the side branches that remain to grow faster and to make the tree bushier. Cut the lowest rung of branches on the tree to force more height.