74 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.. 



Norway Spruce (Picea excelsa). 



This species was introduced into this country about the 

 middle of the sixteenth century. It is widely distributed in 

 Europe from Norway southwards. In southern Europe it is 

 found chiefly on the higher mountain ranges, for instance, in 

 South Tyrol, at elevations up to 7000 feet above sea-level. 

 It is one of the principal forest trees in continental Europe. 

 In the past it has not been as widely planted in this country 

 as its qualities merit. 



Relative to the species already discussed, Norway spruce is 

 free from serious enemies, insect, fungoid or otherwise. The 

 only exception is heart-rot, which appears at middle life under 

 certain conditions. This necessitates a short rotation under 

 these conditions. 



Spruce gives satisfactory results, at least to middle life, 

 on a wide range of soils. This species will grow on peat 

 provided it is not deep ; indeed a few inches of peat is an 

 advantage rather than a disadvantage. Provided a good water 

 supply is available, it does quite well on rocky slopes. To 

 attain its full development a large water supply is necessary. 

 Undue weight, however, has probably been given in this country 

 to this requirement. Compared with the production of other 

 species, spruce gives good results where the rainfall and 

 general water supply are only moderate. Owing to spruce having 

 a surface root-system, it is subject to windfall when planted as 

 single trees or small groups. This, in part, probably explains 

 why it has not been more widely planted at the higher 

 elevations in this country. Elevation and a considerable 

 degree of exposure are no bar to the planting of this species 

 if it is done in solid blocks. There are plantations in this 

 country showing satisfactory growth at elevations up to 

 1500 feet above sea-level, for instance, in the Pennines and in 

 Upper Deeside. Late frosts frequently do damage to it 

 in early life. Where available, birch scrub will give the 

 requisite shelter from frost. 



For very rapid growth a sheltered position, a fertile soil, and 

 abundant water supply are all necessary, but satisfactory results 

 are obtained when the fertility of the soil, water supply, and 

 degree of shelter are only moderate. 



Spruce is the only tree which can be extensively planted in 

 this country to give a high mean annual timber increment per 



