| Common Name | Norway Spruce |
| Botanical Name | Picea abies |
| Plant Type | Evergreen tree |
| Hardiness Zone | 2-7 |
| Mature Size | 40-60 ft tall, 25-30 ft wide |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Soil | Adaptable, well-drained |
| Growth Rate | Fast for an evergreen (2-3 ft/year when young) |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
Why Norway Spruce for Wisconsin
Norway spruce is one of the fastest-growing evergreens available. When you need a windbreak, privacy screen, or year-round green backdrop, it delivers results faster than most conifers. The graceful drooping branches give it a distinctive look that improves with age. Older trees develop a majestic, layered silhouette. Hardy to Zone 2, Wisconsin winters are nothing to this tree.
Planting Instructions
When: Spring or early fall. Avoid planting in summer heat.
Where: Full sun. Give it room. This tree gets large over time. Plant 12-15 feet apart for a screen, 20+ feet from buildings for a specimen.
How: Dig a wide, shallow hole. Do not plant too deep. Water deeply at planting and weekly for the first two growing seasons.
Care Throughout the Season
Spring: Bright green new growth appears at branch tips. No pruning needed unless you want to control size (prune new growth only).
Summer: Water young trees during drought. Established trees are fairly drought tolerant.
Fall: Good time to plant. The tree is slowing down growth and focusing on root development.
Winter: Provides windbreak value and winter habitat for birds. Brush heavy snow off lower branches to prevent breakage.
Common Problems in Wisconsin
Needle cast: Fungal disease that causes inner needles to brown and drop. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering help.
Spider mites: Can be a problem in hot, dry conditions. Spray the inner foliage with water during dry spells to deter them.
Companion Planting
Dogwood varieties planted in front for winter stem color. Birch as a deciduous contrast tree nearby. Rhododendron or azalea for spring color underneath. Ferns and hosta in the shade below as the tree matures.
Design and Landscape Uses
Windbreaks, privacy screens (plant in staggered rows), specimen tree, or backdrop for other plantings. The weeping form improves dramatically with age. A 30-year-old Norway spruce is one of the most impressive trees in any landscape. Plant it where you have the room and the patience to let it grow.
Fun Fact
Despite the name, Norway spruce is not just from Norway. It’s native across much of northern Europe and was one of the first trees brought to North America by colonists. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City has been a Norway spruce more often than any other species.
Norway Spruce is available at our Cedarburg nursery in multiple sizes.