812-1 Norway Spruce Plugs (Packed In Units of 25 Plugs)

The Norway spruce (Picea abies) is a large, fast-growing evergreen conifer native to Europe, widely used for timber, as a landscape and windbreak tree, and as a popular Christmas tree.

Key Characteristics

Size: In North America, it typically grows 40 to 60 feet tall with a 25 to 30-foot spread, but can reach over 100 feet in ideal conditions. It has a rapid growth rate, especially when young, growing up to 3 feet per year.

Appearance: It has a distinct pyramidal shape, with dark green, four-sided needles about 1 inch long that are attached to the branches by small pegs. A key identifier is its branches, which become gracefully pendulous, or ""droopy,"" as the tree matures.

Cones: It produces the longest cones of any spruce species, measuring 4 to 7 inches long. They are purplish-green when young, turning light brown as they ripen, and hang downward from the branches.

Hardiness: The Norway spruce is very cold hardy, thriving in USDA zones 2 to 7, and prefers cooler summer climates. It is relatively tolerant of urban pollution and a range of soil conditions but does poorly in hot, dry weather or constantly wet soils.

Uses and Ecology

Landscaping: Due to its dense growth and height, it's widely planted as a privacy screen or windbreak. It is also used as a majestic specimen tree in large yards, parks, and woodland areas.

Wildlife: The tree provides valuable cover and habitat for various wildlife, including birds of prey, small game, and red squirrels, which eat the cone seeds.

Timber and Products: It is an important timber tree in Europe, its wood (known as softwood) used for construction, furniture, paper production, and musical instruments like violins. Spruce tips have also been used in traditional medicine and for brewing spruce beer.

Christmas Tree: It is a traditional Christmas tree in many places, including the famous Rockefeller Center tree in New York City, because its strong branches can hold many decorations. However, it can lose its needles quickly once brought indoors and needs regular watering.