Blair Park Tree Classification


Norway Spruce

Picea abies

Norway Spruce is very easy to recognize. It looks like a green ghost (if you use your imagination) because its branches are faced down instead of faced up like a regular pine tree. Unlike pines, which have needles attached just on the tip of the twig, the Norway Spruce's needles are attached on all 4 sides of the branches covering each branch entirely. The needles are from one half to one inch long, usually pointing forwards sometimes a needle will curve a bit. The cones can be another clue to help identify the tree. They have stiff scales, are light brown and are 4-6 inches long. Did you know that the Norway Spruce matures it's seeds and cones in one single season? So in early spring or late winter the cones will spread open and set free the mature seed. The bark can help you recognize the Norway Spruce too! The bark is flaky and sometimes it can be more than 1/2 an inch thick,and reddish-brown in color.It is also possible to identify the tree with just a single branch. Just get a microscope and see if the twig is hairless or nearly hairless, and make sure the color is dark-green. If it all fits then the branch belongs to the Norway Spruce.

Picea abies is the scientific name for Norway Spruce. Picea means spruce in Latin and abies means tall or raised. The Norway Spruce can grow 60 to 100 feet in height! Norway Spruce's have many purposes. They make wonderful shelters for wild animals during the winter, christmas trees, and wind breaks. People also use this kind of tree to make paper. That's why it's planted in the north and eastern states. The Norway Spruce grows naturally in dried or sandy areas, but it can also live in areas that have a climate like Arkansas. As long as the land isn't filled with water forever,the Norway Spruce can be planted there. The bad thing is that red spiders, kinds of fungi, grassfires, tight soil, and late frost can ruin the trees.


[Branch/Leaf/Bark/Winter Picture/Map]



[Contents/ Tree ID/ Tree Map/ Tree List/ Works Cited/ Credits]