Tree – Root and Branch – Page 3

Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo) Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

Fascinating leaves are grown on this unique tree that has been around for over 200 million years. Last one of a kind the Ginkgo has no close relatives. Now famous for its extracts and herbal remedies it is also a revered tree in the Buddhist religion.

Key Features of the Maidenhair Tree

Latin name Ginkgo biloba other common names Pin Yin, Kew tree or Japanese silver apricot
Height Up to 100 feet very long lived.
Type of tree – Deciduous the only surviving species of its kind from 200 million years ago
Leaves – Fan shaped green leaves aging to yellow
Flowers – Male catkins are yellow in bunches. Female on another tree are green on stalks
Fruit – Greenish-yellow plum like fruit with a fleshy coating and edible kernel.
Bark – Grey Brown
Family Ginkgo a one off

Origins and Distribution of the Maidenhair Tree

Origins over 200 million years ago but now grow wild in China, Japan and Indonesia.
Widely planted in Buddhist temples and now grown as a specimen tree around the world..

Uses and Attributes of the Ginkgo

Seen as a symbol of longevity, hope and unity.
The finely grained wood is used for carving.
Extract from the leaves and fruit are used herbally.

Gardeners Tips for the Ginkgo

During autumn the leaves turn a bright yellow and quickly fall.
Sunny well-watered and well-drained sites are needed to grow a Ginkgo in your garden.
With stands an amount of pollution.

Other types of Ginkgo

There are no living relatives Ginkgo are often referred to as living fossils.

Ginkgo comments from elsewhere

The old popular name “Maidenhair tree” is because the leaves resemble some of the pinnae of the maidenhair fern.
Ginkgos are dioecious, with separate sexes, some trees being female and others being male. Male plants produce small pollen cones (Wikipedia).
The Ginkgo Pages is a dedicated website for the tree

Credits
ginkgo by ivva CC BY-SA 2.0
Ginkgo leaf by monteregina CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Moreton Bay Fig – Root & Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

Ficus macrophylla, commonly known as the Moreton Bay Fig, is a large evergreen banyan tree of the Moraceae family. It shares the characteristics of most Fig trees.

Key Features of the Moreton Bay Fig

Latin name – Ficus macrophylla other common names Strangler tree
Height – a tall tree up to 150 feet high and often wider than high.
Type of tree – Evergreen
Leaves – Large, elliptical and leathery with dark green upper and rusty brown beneath.
Flowers – Tiny flowers enclosed in a fig receptical
Fruit – Fig ripening from green to purple
Bark – Smooth grey-brown
Family – Moraceae or Banyan

Origins and Distribution of the Moreton Bay Fig

Native to Eastern Australia.
It grows best in rainforest conditions.
This fig is cultivated in Hawaii where the pollinating wasp was deliberatly introduced and in northern New Zealand.

Uses and Attributes of the Moreton Bay Fig

A distinctive tree that has been cultivated to grow in parks and to grace avenues..
The soft light timber is used for cases.
Aborigines traditionally used the fibres for fishing nets.

Gardeners Root Tips for the Moreton Bay Fig

The tree germinates at the top of a host tree and drops aerial roots down to the ground.
It eventually kills the host tree by strangulation .
The tree grows a magnificent crown that is supported by a butress of roots which spread around the tree matching the crown.
The roots are surface feeding and water-hungry. When young it grows as an epiphyte
As with other figs it is pollinated by a specific species of wasp

Moreton Bay Fig comments from elsewhere

Named after Moreton bay in Queensland.
They are very thirsty trees and can be very invasive of domestic drainage systems. Not to be recommended on a suburban quarter acre block! lane reality Australia

Credits
FICUS WATKINSIANA-MORETON BAY FIG by YAZMDG CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
19 Moreton Bay Fig Tree by The City Project CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Moreton Bay Fig Tree, Santa Barbara by FarOutFlora CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Moreton Bay Fig Tree by ~PrescottCC BY-NC 2.0

Crab Apple – Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

The common crab apple grows wild in hedgerows and woodlands of western Europe. It is also cultivated for the blossom and small crabapples.

Key Features of the Crab Apple

Latin name – Malus sylvestris other common names include Wild apples, verjuice
Height – 25-45 feet
Type of tree – Deciduous –
Leaves – Alternate, elliptical, toothed, dark glossy green.
Flowers – Borne in clusters on short shoots. White tinged pink to deep red
Fruit – Spherical green – yellowish- red pome or crabs up to 2 inch across. Crabapples are sour.
Bark – Pale brown to grey when young, peeling flakes of grey brown as the tree matures
Family – Rosaceae

Origins and Distribution of the Crab Apple

Native to Europe.
Used as an ornamental tree in temperate zones.

Uses and Attributes of the Crab Apple

The hard, heavy, close grained wood was used to make clubs, handles and wedges.
Crabapples are high in pectin and are used to make crabapple jelly.
Traditionally the small yellow fruit were used to make ‘verjuice’ an acidic condiment.
Crab Apple are used as root stock for grafting commercial apples.
Crab apple trees make good pollinators for other apples in orchards.
Apple wood is used in some smoking and burns with a sweet scent.

Gardeners Tips for the Crab Apple

These ornamental trees are grown for their beautiful flowers and fruit.
There are numerous cultivars most of which are good pollinators for apples and are known for their resistance to disease.
Smaller crab apples like Evereste can be trained as cordons to make a multi-purpose wind break

Other types of Crab Apple and key species

There are 30-40 species of Crab Apple in the genus.
There are a large number of varieties and hybrids. Generally they have pinker flowers and larger fruit and have been selected for these reasons.
‘John Downie’ produce fruit that is large and tasty enough to eat fresh off the tree
Malus sylvestris is the parent of orchard apple Malus domestica and several ornamental crabs.

Crab Apple comments from elsewhere

The crab apple is the ancestor of the cultivated apple, over 6,000 varieties having been bred over the ages.
For sheer flower power it’s hard to beat M. floribunda with red buds opening to pink then white blossom, followed by red and yellow fruit. A good choice where space is limited is Malus ‘Royal Beauty’, a weeping tree with reddish purple flowers, purple-bronze leaves and dark red fruit.
Birds will feed on the fruit, particularly robins, starlings, greenfinches and thrushes and the colourful flowers will attract bees in spring. Additionally the native crab apple can be home to over 90 insect species. RSPB

Read about our series on British tree reviews with a bakers dozen fact sheets

Credits
Pink Crab Apple Blossoms by beautifulcataya CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Ash – Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

Common Ash trees row widely in the UK and other Ashes grow in Asia and America. Our Ash has dark almost black buds and some species have interesting flowers but it is as a tree the provided wood to make bows that the Ash is best known in Britain.

Key Features of the Ash

Latin name – Fraxinus excelsior – other names; Common Ash or European Ash
Height – up to 150 feet
Type of tree – Deciduous
Leaves – Green pinate with 7-15 ovate-oblong leaflets
Flowers – small purplish in short clusters
Fruit – winged keys in clusters of glossy green turning brown
Bark – grey-brown fissured when mature
Family – Oleaceae

Origins and Distribution of the Ash

Grows widely across Europe and there are many North American species.
Tolerant of wind swept and coastal areas.

Uses and Attributes of the Ash

Ash can make a noble shade tree quite quickly.
Use to make bows, hurling sticks, baseball bats and historically car and plane frames.
Strong, flexible and easy to turn the wood also burns well and is used in some smoking.

Gardeners Tips for the Ash

Select a smaller growing variety like the Manna Ash.
Dislikes sandy or acid soil.
Weeping Ash make a statement tree.

Other types of Ash and key species

Members of the Sorbus family, Mountain Ashes or Rowans are unrelated.
Fraxinus is an extensive genus of hardy Ash trees including White Ash or Autumn Purple Ash, Black Ash, Blue Ash, Singleleaf Ash and Fragrant Ash.
The Ornus group of Ashes are attractive flowering trees also called Manna Ash.

Ash comments from elsewhere

In Norse mythology the first man was made from Ash.
Yggdrasil the ‘Tree of the World’ is thought to be an Ash

Read about our series on British tree reviews with a bakers dozen fact sheets

Credits
frÃªne fraxinus by Luberon (sb) CC BY-NC 2.0
Common Ash Tree by denovich CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Ash Tree by Gemma Grace CC BY-NC 2.0

Sycamore – Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

The Sycamore is a picturesque tree the largest member of the European maples. It is one of the most common trees in the northern temperate zones enjoying exposed situations in most types of soil.

Key Features of the Sycamore

Latin name – Acer pseudoplantanus – other common names; False plane-tree, Scottish maple, or mock-plane.
Height – 120-140 feet
Type of tree – Deciduous
Leaves – Grey palmate leaves with 5 toothed lobes
Flowers – Borne in pendulous clusters, green insignificant
Fruit – Winged keys in pairs.
Bark – Grey-pink
Family – Aceracea

Origins and Distribution of the Sycamore

Western Europe and Northern temperate zones.
Colonises open ground with some success.

Uses and Attributes of the Sycamore

Strong creamy white timber is not durable outdoors.
Sycamore is used for flooring, furniture making and joinery.

Gardeners Tips for the Sycamore

The seeds are held in pairs with wings that allow the seed to spin and ‘helicopter’ down some distance from the aprent tree.
Leaves can attract a fungus that leaves the leaves with unsightly black or red spots .
The mature trees have a large canopy and are not suitable for small gardens.

Other types of Sycamore and key species

Sycamores are not to be confused with Plane trees the ‘American Sycamore’ Platanus occidentalis, Platanus racemosa or Platanus wrightii the Arizona sycamore nor with Ficus sycomorus a fig.
Atropurpureum has purple undersides to the leaf and ‘Brilliantissimum’ is a cultivar notable for the bright salmon-pink colour of the young foliage.

Sycamore comments from elsewhere

Sycamore was the favoured wood for making ‘love spoons’ in Wales. These wedding gifts are linked with rings and were traditionally made from a single peice of wood.
The Drumlanrig Sycamore is reputed to be the UK’s tallest sycamore.It dates back to the 18th Century and is one of the largest girth and spread in Britain. It is one of Scotland’s top 100 Heritage Trees.

Read about our series on British tree reviews with a bakers dozen fact sheets

Credits
The Drumlanrig Sycamore by I like CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Sycamore Gap – Hadrian’s Wall by El Villano CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Sycamore in Bud by Durlston Country Park CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Sycamore Gap by Jonathan_W CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ‘Sycamore Gap is where they filmed on of the opening scenes in “Robin Hood Price of Thieves”

Japanese Maple – Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

Ornamental Japanese Maples are widely available for planting in your garden. The autumn colouring makes these trees spectacular when planted en mass in a woodland or Japanese garden setting.

Key Features of the Japanese Maple

Latin name Acer palmatum or Acer Japonica, Japanese Acer
Height up to 12m 45 feet with a graceful habit.
Type of tree – Deciduous – dictoyledons
Leaves – Palm shaped hence the name palmate with 5-9 deep, finely serrated lobes or fingers.
Flowers Deep red in small inconsequential spreading heads
Fruit Red winged seedheads in pairs. Known as keys.
Bark Smooth brown/grey with pale longitudinal stripes
Family Acer

Origins and Distribution of the Japanese Maple

Native to China, Japan Korea and Taiwan.
Cultivated in Japan for centuries for its colourful foliage and as a bonsai subject.
Introduced in to Europe in 1820.
Acers are a large family of trees including Sycamore and Maples.

Uses and Attributes of the Japanese Maple

The main use is as an ornamental tree.
Popular in parks and as feature trees in gardens.
The autumn colouring of the leaves can be spectacular and contribute to tourism
Like other maples they can bleed a syrup but I am unaware of any commercial product.
Japanese acers are useful as an understory plant in shady woodlands.

Gardeners Tips for the Japanese Maple

The leaves are thin and lacking in substance. Therefore they are easily damaged by wind and red leaves can burn or shrivel in the sun. Plant in a sheltered location
Japanese maples are slow growing and can be grown in large containers or as bonsai
Problems Growing Acer palmatum and In the name of Japanese Maples

Other types of Japanese Maple and key species

There are hundreds if not thousands of cultivars varying in leaf colour from green, yellow and red
Acer palmatum var. pubescens and Acer japonicumâ€”Downy Japanese Maple
Acer pseudosieboldianumâ€”Korean Maple
Acer shirasawanumâ€”Fullmoon Maple
Acer sieboldianumâ€”Siebold’s Maple
The national collection of over 100 different Japanese Acers is held at Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QS and is well worth a visit. This is a wider selection of the Japanese Acers you may see there and growers add to their lists regularly: Acer palmatum â€˜Aka shigitatsu sawaâ€™, â€˜Asahi zuruâ€™, Acer palmatum â€˜Akegarasuâ€™, â€˜Aoyagiâ€™,’Ariake nomuraâ€™, Acer palmatum â€˜Aureumâ€™, â€˜Azuma murasakiâ€™, â€˜Hagoromoâ€™, Acer palmatum â€˜Beni kawaâ€™,’Beni kagamiâ€™,’Garnetâ€™ See link for a full list

Japanese Maple comments from elsewhere

‘Maple collections, sometimes called aceretums, occupy space in many gardens and arboreta around the world including the “five great W’s” in England: Wakehurst Place Garden, Westonbirt Arboretum, Windsor Great Park, Winkworth Arboretum and Wisley Garden.
In the United States, the aceretum at the Harvard-owned Arnold Arboretum in Boston is especially notable. In the number of species and cultivars, the Esveld Aceretum in Boskoop, Netherlands is the largest in the world.’ Thanks to wikipedia

Common Alder – Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

A water loving tree that is comparatively short lived at about 150 years. It is fast growing and can often be found near river banks.

Key Features of the Common Alder

Latin name – Alnus glutinosa other common names Black Alder or European Alder
Height – 60-80 feet
Type of tree – deciduous
Leaves – Green, rounded, finely toothed alternate.
Flowers – Male reddish brown in drooping catkins; female on same tree solitary red
Fruit – Woody oval and cone like
Bark – Dark grey-brown and scaly when mature
Family – Betulacaea

Origins and Distribution of the Common Alder

Found throughout Europe and western Asia.
Now also grown in North Africa.

Uses and Attributes of the Common Alder

The wood can take on an attractive reddish colour when cut and it has been used for charcoal and gunpowder..
Many clogs have been made out of Alder.
The wood does not rot when immersed in water and has been used extensively for boats, water pipes and canal lock gates
Major parts of Venice are built on pilings made from Alder
The tree and bark in particular has several medical uses.

Gardeners Tips for the Common Alder

Common Alder is often used as a pioneering plant to re-establish woodlands, reclamation projects and abandoned farmlands.
Seedlings do not grow well in shady conditions and are seldom found in heavy woodlands.

Other types of Common Alder

Several forms of common alder exist including fastigiata, laciniata with stiffer habit, pyrimidalis with branches at an acute angle.
Alnus glutinosa Imperialis is attractive with deeply and finely cut leaves.
There are about 25 species of Alder in addition to glutinosa but few grow taller than the Common Alder.

Common Alder comments from elsewhere

Top photo ‘Lower Austria, districts Wien-Umgebung and Bruck/Leitha (Fischa-Auen, 177 m AMSL).
Fischa alluvial forests in so-called Feuchte Ebene (‘wet plain’) are dominated by black alder; Salix (S. alba featured here, the huge one in centre right) and Populus – which prevail in Danube river alluvial forests – are present but not dominant.
German name: Silber-Weide + Schwarz-Erle.’
‘Alder is the most common tree species in riparian forests, and it plays a crucial role in these stream- and loch-edge woodlands. As a deep-rooted species, it helps to maintain the soil in river banks and reduces the effects of erosion. Alder root systems which are exposed in the water give shelter to fish during times of high water flow, and provide a safe refuge from predators. Alder foliage provides shade which is beneficial to fish, including salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta), and its leaves, which are relatively quick to decompose in water, provide nutrients for invertebrates such as the larvae of caddisflies, stoneflies and water beetles. These in turn form part of the aquatic food web, and are eaten by larger organisms, including salmonid fish.’ read the full text on Trees for Life

Read about our series on British tree reviews with a bakers dozen fact sheets

Credits
“Schwarzerlenau/Alder forest – Salix alba + Alnus glutinosa (48Â°01′ N 16Â°30′ E)” by HermannFalkner/sokol CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

“Alder trees, Alnus glutinosa, on the northern bank of the Kinlochewe River near the south-eastern end of Loch Maree.” by Shandchem CC BY-ND 2.0

Yew – Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

The slow growing Yew is one of the longest lived trees capable of living for thousands of years. Britains oldest Yew in Fortingall is believed to be over 3000+ years old.

Key Features of the Yew

Latin name – Taxus baccata other common names English Yew, European Yew or Common Yew
Height – up to 80 feet
Type of tree – Evergreen Conifer
Leaves – Flat sharp-pointed needles growing in a spiral around upright shoots
Flowers – Male spherical catkins beneath shoots, female tiny buds near shoot ends generally on separate trees
Fruit – Single seeds encased in a red berry
Bark – Grey-brown with scaly patches revealing purple-red bark underneath
Family – Taxacea

Origins and Distribution of the

Yews have survived for many thousands of years and have adapted to climate changes
Native to the UK, western, central and southern Europe and as far south as northwest Africa.

Uses and Attributes of the

All parts of the Yew are poisonous and should be treated with care. There are new compounds (taxol) being developed from the tree to fight cancer.
The wood is hard, elastic and resistant to water. It was used to make long bows.
The Yew is associated with folklore and is often found in churchyards.

Gardeners Tips for the Yew

The yew can be clipped or pruned into topiary and makes a good hedge or wind break. As it is slow growing it is easy to keep it within bounds.
Old trees can have a girth of 20-30 feet.
Will grow on dry chalky soils and in the shade.
Taxus boccata ‘Erecta’ is a columnar form worth growing in your garden.

Other types of Yew

Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ or the Irish Yew is one of over 100 cultivars and the several cultivars with yellow leaves are collectively known as “Golden Yew”.
Taxus brevifolia or the Pacific Yew is native to northwest America.

Yew comments from elsewhere

‘The Yew is considered to be the most potent tree for protection against evil, a means of connecting to your ancestors, a bringer of dreams and otherworld journeys and a symbol of the old magic. In hot weather it gives off a resinous vapour which shamans inhaled to gain visions. Yew wood was regarded as especially magical to the Celts, due to its connection with the dead and the ancestors which were deeply respected. Archaeologists have recently found well-preserved Yew wood carvings at ancient sites of springs and wells which were probably votive offerings. ‘read the full story on White Dragon

Read about our series on British tree reviews with a bakers dozen fact sheets

Credits
Yews, Stow on the Wold by 1967geezer CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 ‘A pair of yew trees flanking St Edward’s church door.’
Yew – Taxus baccata by lifeinthewild CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

English Oak Tree – Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

Oak trees conjure up images of Robin Hood and mystical Oak forests. Britain has made good use of Oak trees down the centuries. ‘From little acorns great Oak trees grow’

Key Features of the English Oak

Latin name Quercus robur, other common names include Pendulate or Common Oak
Height 40m – 130 feet and can have a significant width and root spread
Type of tree – Most Oaks are deciduous, dictoyledons.
Leaves are green with irregular deep lobes. The shape of the leaf is atypical oak.
Flowers are on short stems and inconspicuous on the female and drooping catkins on the male. Both appear on the same tree.
Fruit is called an acorn and is an ovoid nut one third of which is held in a half enclosed cup.
Bark is pale grey with deep ridges.
Family Quercus

Origins and Distribution of the Oak

English Oak is widely distributed throughout Europe.
The tree features in Norse and Greek myth and was worshiped by Druids.

Uses and Commercial Attributes of the Oak

Mature Oaks play an important part in a forests eco-system. They provide food with the abundant supply of acorns and shelter for birds insects and squirrels.
The bark has a high tannin content and has been used for tanning leather for many centuries.
The timber has long been prized and built many of the ships upon which Britain built it’s seafaring prominence
Oak was also used in house building to provide long strong timbers that are still visible today in many tithe barns and old properties.
Smoked fish and meat is cured over Oak chippings to provide tasty oak smoked products.
Oaks are often planted in memoriam or to commemorate historic events.

Gardeners Tips for the Oak

Oaks are large trees and unsuitable for normal sized gardens. After about 8-10 years they are too large and can live 300+ years so they are not even beyond infancy before they bare too big.
Children love to germinate the acorns and it is quite easy. If you subsequently wish to plant the seedling in the wild ensure it is in a suitable environment like a mixed woodland, with appropriate permission.

Other Types of Oak and Species

The genus Quercus is currently divided into two subgenera, Quercus and Cyclobalanopsis.
Quercus ilex known as the Holm Oak or Holly Oak is the only evergreen Oak.
‘Fastigiata’ or Cypress Oak – The popular fastigiate oak grows to a large imposing tree with a narrow columnar habit.
‘Concordia’ or Golden Oak is a small very slow-growing tree with bright golden-yellow leaves. It eventually reaches 35â€™
‘Pendula’ Weeping Oak is a medium sized tree with pendulous branches, reaching up to 50â€™
‘Filicifolia’ Cut-leaved Oak
There are several hybrids including purple leaved and bi-coloured varieties.
Sessile oak has long stalks on the leaves and almost no stalk on the acorn

Oak Comments from Elsewhere

International Oak Society link says the Subgenus Quercus is further currently subdivided into sections Quercus (the white oaks), Protobalanus (the intermediate oaks), Lobatae (the red oaks) and Cerris (the taxonomic position of which is currently under review). They also retain a database of all named Oaks.
‘Whilst walking through the gardens at Kew today, and passing the extensive temperate oak collection along the riverside, I was reminded of the tropical acorns we found on a Kew expedition to Sarawak. These fruits look like acorns you might find on a walk in a British woodland but they are actually from the tropical rain forests of Borneo.’… Gemma Bramley Kew Gardens
‘Mighty oaks from little acorns grow’
The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest is a giant tree loved by many visitors. It has a waistline of 35 ft, a height of 52 feet and weighing an estimated 23 tons. It is about 800-1000 years old but only cutting it down and counting the rings will tell how old a tree really is.

British Oaks: A Concise Guide by Michael Tyler and Bob Farley from Amazon

Credits
Angel Oak by Christmas w/a K CC BY-SA 2.0
Oak Tree by MunstiSue CC BY-ND 2.0
Scottish acorns by PhylB CC BY-SA 2.0
“Oak leafs” by Peter Nijenhuis.CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Special Oaks

Sessile Oak or Durmast Oak has stalkless acorns growing direct from twigs. It is common in Europe where it permits light to reach the ground encouraging other flora. Quercus petraea
Cork Oak is native to Spain and Portugal where the bark is harvested every 8-10 years to produce cork for wine bottles. Quercus suber
The Turkish oak has long whiskery buds and a ‘mossy’ cup on the acorn.Quercus serris In USA the Turkey Oak is called Quercus laevis

Read about our series on British tree reviews with a bakers dozen fact sheets

Norway Spruce Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

Key Features of the Norway Spruce

Latin name Picea Abies other common names Christmas Tree
Height up to 150 feet 50m
Type of tree – Conifer
Leaves Short dark green needles
Flowers red male and dark red female on upright clusters
Fruit Cones are slender cylindrical and light brown. They hang down in a pendulous manner and have long jagged scales.
Bark Coppery pink when young turning purple/grey and cracking as it matures.
Family Picea

Origins and Distribution of the Norway Spruce

Widely grown through out Europe.
In USA the Norway Spruce is planted in the northeastern and Rocky Mountain states, as well as in southeastern Canada.

Uses and Commercial Attributes of the Norway Spruce

Norway Spruce is an important timber tree valued for long, strong and straight timber.
Norway Spruce is also grown for paper pulp and general carpentry.
Known for retaining it’s needles the Norway Spruce has long been a favourite Christmas tree first brought to the UK by Prince Albert in Victorian times.
Spruce are popular as ornamental trees admired for their evergreen, symmetrical, narrow-conic growth habit.
The scent of pine is redolent and natural oil can be made from the sap of this Spruce.
Norway spruce is used in the making of violins due to its lightness, flexibility, strength and tonal qualities

Gardeners Tips for the Norway Spruce

Trees grow quickly but a rooted Christmas tree can be planted out after Christmas and brought back the following year. Keep it well watered indoors if you plan to plant your tree.
Some of the best shaped Christmas Norwegian Spruce are the top few feet of a larger tree sawn down for the purpose.

Other types of Norway Spruce and key species

Siberian Spruce having cones about half the length of Norway spruce with smoothly rounded scales, and hairy shoots.
Trees hybridise successfully
Norway spruce is one of the most important species on the European Continent. More than 100 forms and varieties have been named.
* Picea glauca, White Spruce, Picea mariana, Black Spruce, Picea rubens, Red Spruce are all part of the Picea family.

Norway Spruce comments from elsewhere

From the National Christmas Tree Federation ‘For Christmas trees, overall color of Norway spruce is fair to excellent, but needle retention is considered poor unless the trees are cut fresh and kept properly watered. Growth during the first 10 years after field planting is relatively slow and 8 to 11 years are required to grow a 6-7 foot tree.’

Above in the public domain because its copyright has expired

Read about our series on British tree reviews with a bakers dozen fact sheets

Credits
“Norway Spruce by friendsofmountauburn, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Norway Spruce Cones by wolfnowl CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
“Norway Spruce plantation by The Heartwood CC BY-NC-SA 2.0