Norway Spruce

Dig the planting hole one-third deeper and wider than the roots. Place the seedling in the hole, keeping it slightly higher than the final planting depth, rather than right at the bottom of the hole. The root collar should eventually be at the boundary between the soil and the air. Some trees also have ridges on the root collar, which makes this easier. When placing the tree in the hole, keep it stable. The roots should not point upward or twist during planting, otherwise the tree will become unstable or could strangle itself. Also, spread the roots as much as possible. This gives the roots sufficient rooting space.

Fill the hole with moist, loose soil. Make sure the soil touching the root hairs (the roots thinner than 1 millimeter) is well crumbled. Shake the tree slightly up and down so that the soil reaches between the root hairs.

Place about 10 centimeters of soil above the root hairs and press it lightly with your foot, ensuring the roots have good contact with the soil moisture.

For detailed planting instructions, please see the plant manual on our website.

Insert the spade diagonally into the soil about 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches) from the trunk. Carefully work around the seedling, inserting the spade in a circular motion. Use the spade as leverage to gently loosen the seedling, trying to keep as much of the root system intact as possible. Finally, lift the seedling out of the soil with both hands to avoid damaging the roots.

The tree requires little maintenance, generally tolerates pruning well, and can easily be raised to a higher crown when necessary.

If you do want to prune, prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This timing helps prevent disease infection and minimizes stress to the plant.

Start by removing dead wood by pruning back to living tissue. Make sure to make your cuts at a slight angle to prevent water retention, which can lead to decay. Don't leave stubs, as these can attract pests.

Prune diseased branches by making cuts at least a few inches into healthy wood beyond the diseased area. Dispose of these branches properly; composting spreads disease.

The Norway spruce is found across large parts of Eurasia. In the Alps, it grows up to approximately 2,000 meters in altitude. The tree is not native to the Netherlands and Flanders. It was planted extensively during the reforestation period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, usually in commercial forests. It grows best in moist, loamy, and acidic soil.