Norway Spruce

The Norway Spruce is one of the fastest-growing evergreen trees, gaining up to 2–3 feet of height per year under ideal conditions. It reaches 40–60 feet tall at maturity, sometimes even more in colder climates, while maintaining a graceful pyramidal shape. This fast growth makes it a top choice for privacy screens, windbreaks, and large landscape plantings where quick coverage is desired.

To achieve the best growth rate, plant your Norway Spruce in full sun and well-drained soil. Regular watering during its first two years helps establish deep roots, and an annual spring feeding will promote steady, healthy growth for decades to come.

For dense windbreaks or privacy screens, space Norway Spruce trees 10–12 feet apart on center. This spacing allows their branches to fill in naturally over time, forming a continuous evergreen barrier. For larger properties or specimen planting, 15–20 feet apart ensures each tree has room to develop its natural shape without crowding.

Proper spacing encourages healthy airflow and sunlight penetration, which helps prevent disease and maintains lush green color from top to bottom. Whether used for functional wind protection or ornamental impact, proper planting distance ensures long-term success.

With proper care, a Norway Spruce can live 100 years or longer, making it one of the most enduring evergreen trees for home landscapes. Its longevity comes from its deep root system, resilience to cold, and adaptability to various soils. Many mature Norway Spruces planted decades ago still thrive today across northern and eastern states.

To extend its lifespan, ensure well-draining soil and consistent moisture during dry periods, particularly during establishment. Avoid compacted or soggy ground, as this can stress the root system. Once mature, it becomes an exceptionally long-lived and self-sustaining tree.

Yes — the Norway Spruce is deer resistant, thanks to its sharp, stiff needles and dense branching that deter browsing animals. This makes it a smart choice for rural properties, wooded areas, and deer-prone landscapes, offering dependable greenery year-round without constant maintenance or repellent sprays.

In addition to deer resistance, Norway Spruce is also tolerant of snow, wind, and cold, thriving where other trees fail. It’s one of the most dependable evergreens for homeowners seeking low-maintenance privacy trees that stay lush and vibrant in any season.

The Norway Spruce (Picea abies) is the fastest-growing of the three, reaching 2–3 feet per year with a soft, dark-green appearance and gracefully drooping branches. The Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) grows more slowly, about 12–24 inches per year, and stands out for its vivid blue needles and symmetrical pyramid shape. The Black Hills Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Densata’) is the most compact and dense, featuring deep green needles and exceptional cold tolerance.

Choose Norway Spruce for fast privacy and wind protection, Colorado Blue Spruce for striking blue color and ornamental appeal, and Black Hills Spruce for small spaces or extreme cold climates. Each offers the signature strength and reliability that make spruces such beloved evergreens.