1. Native / Non-native Status
Non-native to the UK. Native to northern and central Europe. Introduced to Britain in the 16th century and widely planted for forestry and as the traditional Christmas tree.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Evergreen – retains needles year-round.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Needle-like, stiff, four-sided, 1–2.5 cm long, dark green, arranged spirally on twigs. Sharp to the touch but less prickly than Sitka spruce.
Bark: Reddish-brown to grey, thin and scaly, becoming flaky and fissured with age.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Monoecious. Male flowers are small, reddish-brown, and release pollen in spring. Female flowers are upright at first, then develop into long, cylindrical cones (10–20 cm), which hang down to ripen brown in autumn. Seeds winged, dispersed by wind.
Overall shape: Tall, straight trunk with a narrow, conical crown; drooping side branches with upturned tips give it a distinctive outline.
4. Typical Size
17–22 m tall in the UK (up to 55 m in native range); spread 6–8 m. Fast-growing but shorter-lived than native broadleaves.
5. Habitat & Range
Widely planted in the UK for forestry, shelterbelts, and ornamentals. Common in lowland and upland plantations, especially in Scotland. Grows best in cool, moist climates and fertile, well-drained soils.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Long hanging cones (largest of any spruce in the UK).
Drooping branches with upturned tips.
Needles shorter and less sharp than Sitka spruce.
Traditional Christmas tree form.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring: Male catkins shed pollen; female flowers develop.
Summer: Dense green crown; cones forming.
Autumn: Cones ripen brown and release seeds.
Winter: Evergreen needles retained; classic Christmas tree appearance.
8. Human Uses
Widely used as the UK’s traditional Christmas tree.
Timber used for construction, paper pulp, and particularly for soundboards in musical instruments (violins, pianos, guitars).
Planted as shelterbelts and for landscaping.
9. Wildlife Value
Provides cover for birds and mammals in plantations.
Cones provide seeds for crossbills, siskins, and red squirrels.
Less biodiversity value compared with native woodland, but still supports some moths and invertebrates.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
The giant Norway spruce at Trafalgar Square each Christmas is an annual gift from Norway to London, thanking Britain for its support during WWII.
In its native Scandinavia, individual trees can live over 400 years; some clonal colonies are thought to be thousands of years old.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils; tolerates acidic loams and clays. Dislikes chalky or very dry soils.
Light: Grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade.
Watering: Water regularly until established; prefers moist conditions.
Spacing: 2–3 m in plantations; 6–8 m for specimen trees.
Aftercare: Mulch to conserve moisture. Stake young trees if exposed. Minimal pruning required beyond removing deadwood.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Useful in parks and large open spaces; not ideal for streets due to size and shallow roots.
Garden: Suitable for large gardens as a specimen or screen; traditional choice for Christmas tree plantations. Not suited to small gardens due to size and rapid growth.