{"product_id":"norway-spruce","title":"Norway Spruce","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Fast, Stately Spruce for Windbreaks and Screens\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorway Spruce (\u003cem\u003ePicea abies\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the fastest and toughest large evergreens for the upper Midwest. It grows into a broad pyramid 40-60 feet tall, with rich dark green needles and gracefully drooping branchlets that give mature trees a distinctive sweeping look. A long-time favorite for windbreaks, privacy screens, and bold specimen planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNorway Spruce Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003ePicea abies\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorway Spruce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40-60 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25-30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast - 1-2+ feet per year when young\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate; water deeply through the first two seasons.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b-5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen - dark green needles on gracefully drooping branchlets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood - deer rarely browse spruce; the stiff, sharp needles deter them.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native; a European species widely naturalized and reliable across the upper Midwest\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNorway Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFast Windbreaks and Screens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorway Spruce is the fastest-growing spruce, often adding 1-2 feet or more a year when young, which makes it the go-to tree for a windbreak or privacy screen you want filling in quickly. Space the trees 12-15 feet apart in a row for a tall, dense barrier on a rural-edge or larger metro property in Plymouth or Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStately Specimen Trees\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith age, Norway Spruce develops a commanding, broad-pyramidal form with gracefully drooping branchlets that give it real character. As a single specimen in a larger Twin Cities yard, that stately silhouette and deep green color make it a true landmark tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTough, Adaptable Evergreen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has been planted across the Upper Midwest for generations because it is so reliable - tolerating a range of soils, shrugging off cold and snow load, and asking for little once established. Like all spruce, its stiff needles make it dependably deer-resistant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Norway Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an evergreen, Norway Spruce establishes best when planted in late summer to early fall - late August through mid September is the ideal Twin Cities window, giving roots time to settle before the ground freezes and reducing winter desiccation. Spring (late April through May, after the ground thaws) is the strong second choice. Avoid midsummer planting, and never plant after mid-October or before the ground thaws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Norway Spruce\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper - in heavy clay, go wider still and set the top of the root ball slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan: if water pools in the bottom of the hole, break through the compacted layer or mound-plant to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20-30% compost; avoid creating a pure-compost pocket that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive a specimen plenty of room - 15-20 feet from buildings - or space windbreak trees 12-15 feet apart in a row.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3-4 inch watering basin around the root zone, then flatten it before winter to prevent ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2-3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept a couple of inches back from the trunk. Do not use gravel mulch - it offers no winter insulation in Minnesota.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Norway Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1-2: water deeply every 1-2 days, soaking the root ball slowly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1-2: water every 3-4 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3 onward: water every 5-7 days through the growing season, easing off when rainfall is adequate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes (late October in the metro). A single deep soak in early December helps if fall was dry, since evergreens lose moisture all winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstablished plants need supplemental water only during droughts - two or more weeks with no rain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater deeply and infrequently, soaking to 6-8 inches, and let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Norway Spruce survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasily. It is hardy to roughly -40F (USDA zone 3), well beyond the Twin Cities metro range of zone 4b-5a, and it has been a dependable Upper Midwest evergreen for well over a century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFast - often 1-2 feet or more per year when young, the quickest of the spruces. That speed is exactly why it is so popular for windbreaks and quick screens. Growth slows as it matures into its stately form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get, and how much room does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt matures to about 40-60 feet tall and 25-30 feet wide, so give it plenty of space - it is a large specimen and windbreak tree, not a small-yard plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Norway Spruce deer-resistant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Deer rarely browse spruce because the stiff, sharp needles deter them, making it a dependable pick for high-pressure western suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhite Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - a hardy Minnesota native spruce for windbreaks and wildlife.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSerbian Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - a narrow, graceful spruce for tall screens in tighter spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcrocona Norway Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - an ornamental Norway spruce with showy red spring cones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBird's Nest Norway Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - a low, nest-shaped dwarf form for the front of a bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Norway Spruce Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a windbreak or privacy screen, space trees 12-15 feet apart on center in a single row; on larger rural properties, a double staggered row at 15-foot spacing gives the densest wind protection. As a specimen, plant one and give it 15-20 feet from buildings and 25+ feet from other large trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScreen \/ Windbreak Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrees at 13-ft Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15-16 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23-24 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNorway Spruce Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright, soft lime-green new growth tips every branch in May - a fresh two-tone effect against the older dark needles. Fast vertical growth kicks in early.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A dense, rich green pyramid putting on 1-2+ feet of growth; mature trees develop the signature curtain of drooping branchlets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds its deep green color while deciduous trees drop; large pendulous cones (the longest of any spruce) hang from the upper branches and feed squirrels and winter birds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The workhorse season - a solid evergreen wall that blocks wind and snow, shrugs off heavy snow load on its flexible branchlets, and stays handsome at -40F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-spruce\"\u003eWhite Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e - a Minnesota-native spruce to mix into a windbreak row for diversity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/serbian-spruce\"\u003eSerbian Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e - a narrower, elegant spruce where the screen has to fit a tighter run.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/acrocona-norway-spruce\"\u003eAcrocona Norway Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e - the showy-coned ornamental cousin for a bed nearby.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/birds-nest-spruce\"\u003eBird's Nest Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e - a low dwarf spruce to anchor the foreground of an evergreen planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Norway Spruce Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose it if you have a larger lot in full sun and want the fastest dependable evergreen wall for privacy, wind protection, or a landmark specimen - it tolerates clay, cold, snow, and deer pressure with ease. It's not a fit for small city yards or tight side strips: at 25-30 feet wide it will overwhelm the space, and a narrow form like Serbian Spruce or an arborvitae is the better call there.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#3 Gallon","offer_id":54281907044657,"sku":"GT-E1105AP","price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54281907077425,"sku":"GT-E1106","price":50.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#6\/#7 Gallon","offer_id":54281907110193,"sku":"GT-E1107","price":72.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54281907142961,"sku":"GT-E1108","price":123.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#20 Gallon","offer_id":54281907175729,"sku":"GT-E1109","price":215.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7' B\u0026B","offer_id":54281907208497,"sku":"GT-E1111","price":493.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"9' B\u0026B","offer_id":54281907241265,"sku":"GT-E1116","price":713.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/norway-spruce.jpg?v=1779469306","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/norway-spruce","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}