Norway Spruce Sapling Trees

Picea abies: Bareroot Norway Spruce Sapling Trees

The Common Norway Spruce, Picea abies, is what most people call the traditional Christmas tree, although the "non-drop" Nordmann fir has become popular. When it is grown out in the open, with full sun, it will take a classic Christmas tree shape, with a broad base of spreading branches close to the ground and a gently tapering shape towards the top. It decorates itself with quite long, cigar shaped cones that hang down from the branches.

If it is grown in a forest situation, it will lose its lowest branches as they are shaded out and concentrate on growing straight up. Eventually, it will become a tall, slender tree to 40 metres with a clear trunk for over half its height and quite a small, narrow canopy.

But when clipped as a hedge, it makes an excellent windbreak.

You can also buy Blue Spruce for more ornamental foliage.
Browse our other evergreens, or our full range hedging and saplings.

Delivery season: Spruce are delivered bareroot during late autumn and winter, approximately November-March inclusive.

Features:

• Height: To 40m
• Soil: Any well-drained except chalk
• Good formal evergreen hedging
• Bareroot delivery only: November-March

Growing

Chalky soil is not suitable. Your trees will grow in any soil type that is fairly moist and fertile. When the trees are young, they will tolerate quite a lot of shade and simply grow slowly, working their way into the light. Exposed, windy locations are fine.

What Tree is a Christmas Tree?

• Norway Spruce, Abies picea, is a cheap option that smells great, but drops its needles quite quickly indoors, so it's better for outdoor use or when buying an indoor tree last minute.
• The most traditional Christmas Tree in the UK is the Scot's Pine, Pinus sylvestris, which holds its needles pretty well, but is no longer in demand compared to the other species.
• The Nordman Fir, Abies nordmanniana, known as the Non-Drop Christmas tree, has become the most popular for indoor use, especially for people buying their tree early.

Did You Know?

It isn't native to Britain, but it has been grown here since at least the 1500's and is now naturalised everywhere. It is one of Europe's most common softwood timber trees.