Norway Spruce
Picea abies
Norway Spruce (Picea abies) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 25–30 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium to high water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Will not take windy sites; needs a more protected area.
medium to high water25–30 ft tall and 6–10 ft wideDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Picea abies" by The original uploader was MPF at English Wikipedia. is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 2: (c) Katrin Simon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katrin Simon
- Photo 3: "Picea abies 'Witches' Brood'" by F. D. Richards is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 4: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
- Photo 5: "Chrysomyxa rhododendri on Picea abies" by Calimo is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 6: "Picea abies young female cone - Keila" by Ivar Leidus is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–7
- Water needs
- medium to high water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Tolerates
- Cool north foundations
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 25–30 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~10 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Watch: ExposureIt wants shelter; open, windy, reflected-heat sites batter it, so tuck it against a building or a windbreak.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Spruce ips beetle in stressed trees
- Spruce spider mite on hot, dry sites
- Cytospora canker on lower branches
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Norway Spruce good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Norway Spruce is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Norway Spruce get?
- It matures to about 25–30 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide.
- How much room does Norway Spruce need?
- Give Norway Spruce about 10 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Norway Spruce grow into?
- Norway Spruce typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Norway Spruce hardy on the Front Range?
- Norway Spruce is hardy in USDA 2–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Norway Spruce need?
- It needs medium to high water once established.
- How fast does Norway Spruce grow?
- Norway Spruce is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Norway Spruce live?
- Norway Spruce is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Norway Spruce native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Norway Spruce deer-resistant?
- Norway Spruce is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Norway Spruce prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Norway Spruce can be affected by spruce ips beetle in stressed trees and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
