Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

Our range of Norway Spruce (Picea abies) bare root tree saplings

We have a couple of different options of Picea abies bare root trees.

The transplants are 4 year old plants, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out to access more nutrients and water) for a further two growing season giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant.  They are only sold in the bare root season - November to April each year.

We also have cell grown Picea abies tree saplings which are grown by one of the UK's best specialist growers, and these are ideal for forestry and woodland creation or amenity planting - and are available all year round.

You can read more about the specifications we offer on the tab just below the pricing table.

Norway Spruce (Picea abies) Summary

Norway Spruce thought to originate in Scandinavia but common throughout Northern and Central Europe is quick growing, hardy and suitable for most free draining soils.  It is pyramid shaped with stiff branches covered in short dark green needles and have a light scent. 

This was the popular variety of Christmas tree (introduced by Prince Albert) until Nordman Fir’s superior non-drop needles took over to an extent, though there are still very many Norway Spruce grown for Christmas.  As a tree that can reach up to 40m, it’s too big for most gardens but is great for timber with a fast-growing tall straight trunk, has been planted for forestry for at least a century and the timber is used as a building material (joists, beams etc) and for paper making.

Soil and Situation

Any free draining soil anywhere in the UK including the far north as it is fully acclimatised to Scandinavia from where it originates, but with a preference for acidic, moisture retentive soils. They grow well in shade and dont do as well in dry, sunny situations.

Leaves, flowers, fruit and bark

The coniferous needles are short, square shaped and with pointed tips.  It is fully evergreen with the needles holding well on the tree all year round.

Male flowers are clusters of stamens which appear to be yellow in spring when they are covered in pollen.  There are also female flowers which tend to be at the top of the tree.  The “fruit” is a large hanging cone with diamond shaped scales – seeds are released from these cones in Spring and ripe cones are very popular with squirrels.

The bark is grey and peels off in sheets.

Eventual height and growth rate

Most Norway Spruce trees will easily reach 20-30m, and 40m in good conditions.  They are fast growing at about 1m pa.

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)