Range
Native to mountain areas of central and southern Europe, and most of eastern and northern Europe.
Provenance Choice
Provenances from eastern Europe (e.g. Romania, southern Poland) are generally preferable.
Site Requirements
Accommodating with regard to climatic conditions as long as annual rainfall exceeds 850 mm although can grow well on moist soils in drier regions. It is cold hardy but suffers from exposure, air pollution, and is vulnerable to late spring frosts at a young age (although less than Sitka spruce). It is an early successional species that is moderately shade tolerant. Best growth on moist, sufficiently aerated soils of poor to medium fertility such as sandy loams. Suffers from heather check and nitrogen deficiency on very nutrient poor soils.
ECOLOGICAL SITE CLASSIFICATION TOOLPests and Pathogens
Green spruce aphid (Elatobium) damage on Norway spruce is less common than on Sitka spruce and usually less severe. However, Norway spruce suffers from a disorder known as top-dying which is of unknown cause. It is relatively common and can be a significant cause of decline and death, especially on the eastern side of Britain. Elsewhere in Europe, the larger European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) is a significant pest on Norway spruce, killing trees as a result of mass beetle attack.
Apart from being affected by Heterobasidion (Fomes root and butt rot), Norway spruce is also highly susceptible to other decay fungi such as Stereum, which enter via wounds such as those made during thinning and extraction, and can cause serious levels of degradation.
