Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
| Needle retention | Poor unless cut fresh and kept properly watered |
|---|---|
| Fragrance | Mild |
| Needles | Four-sided needles 1/2–1 in, sharp to somewhat blunt |
| Ornaments | Recognizable drooping branchlets |
| Color | Shiny dark green |
| Grown in | Native to Europe; widely planted in southeastern Canada and the northeastern US |
| USDA zones | 2-7 (for planting a living tree; find your zone by ZIP) |
Worth knowing
- 8–11 years to a 6–7 ft tree.
- Best bought at a cut-your-own farm so the freshness clock starts at zero.
Care notes
Whatever the species: make a fresh half-inch cut off the trunk before it goes in the stand, use a stand that holds a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter, top it up daily, and keep the tree away from heat. Details in the care guide.
Sources: National Christmas Tree Association: Tree Varieties · PA Christmas Tree Growers Association: Selection Guide · NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox