NORWAY SPRUCE. 

 Picea Abies, (Linnaeus) Karsten. 



FORM A large tree usually attaining a height of 50-80 ft. with a diameter of 2 ft., 

 but may reach a height of 125 ft. with a diameter of 3 ft. Trunk straight, continuous, 

 slightly tapering, and sometimes free from lateral branches for a considerable distance from 

 the base. Crown less acutely pyramidal than that of our native species. 



BARK On old trunks roughened with large, rather thick reddish-brown scales; on younger 

 trunks the scales are thinner and closer. Used in tanneries in Europe, but only slightly charged 

 with tannin. 



TWIGS Slender, rather pendulous, light reddish-brown and roughened by projecting leaf- 



BUDS Ovate to conical, smooth, pointed, covered by overlapping, sharp-pointed, light brown 

 scales. 



LEAVES About i-1 inch long, sharp-pointed, 4-sided, dark green, without real leaf-stalks, 

 but resting on decurrent projections of bark known as sterigmata. 



LEAF-SCABS See "Leaf -Scars" under Red Spruce. 



FLOWERS Appear about May when pollination takes place. Fertilization takes place In 

 June. 



FRUIT A cone about 4-7 inches long, cylindrical-oblong, pendant, almost sessile, maturing 

 at the end of the first season; cone-scales thin, stiff, rather broad reddish-brown with finely 

 toothed margin. 



WOOD Non-porous; resin passages present; straight-grained, strong, not durable in con- 

 tact with the soil, medium in hardness, works easily, heartwood yellowish-white with thin 

 white sapwood. Weighs 30 Ibs. per cubic foot. Used in the manufacture of paper pulp, general 

 construction, interior finish, basket making and for masts and oars on small vessels. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Norway Spruce, also known as the European 

 Spruce, can readily be distinguished by its large cones, which are from 4-7 inches long, and 

 by the long, pendulous branchlets terminating the lateral branches. The sharp-pointed, bluish- 

 green, 4-sided needles will also aid in distinguishing it from some of the other closely related 

 species. 



RANGE Its native home is in middle and northern Europe. It forms a very important part 

 of the forest structure of Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Russia. Planted extensively in 

 the United States for ornamental purposes from Maine south to Washington and west to Kansas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA It is found throughout the State as an ornamental 

 tree, and planted rather extensively for forestry purposes by the State Department of Forestry. 



HABITAT In Europe it grows in valleys and upon the mountain slopes. It prefers rather 

 rich moist soils, in this respect somewhat resembling the White Pine. It cannot endure very 

 dry, very sterile, or extremely rich vegetable soil. It is rather tolerant of shade and some- 

 what susceptible to late frosts. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES The Norway Spruce is a foreigner in our forest flora, 

 but before long it will be regarded a naturalized member of our forest structure. It will 

 be an extremely valuable addition to the list of species of forestal significance. To the present 

 time it has been planted mostly for ornamental purposes and for wind breaks, but in the 

 future it will also be planted extensively as a forest tree. It grows rapidly and is rather 

 hardy and free from organic enemies and produces valuable wood. A noted European authority 

 on forestry has said: "Spruce is the best paying forest species in the world." It should be 

 planted as a seedling and preferably mixed with such species as White Pine, European Larch, 

 Douglas Fir, Red Oak, White Ash, and Tulip Tree. It is also possible that it could be grown 

 at a profit for Christmas tree purposes. 



