in 2008. Given to
London every year as a gift from Norway's capital city,
Oslo, Norway, spruces that are around 50 to 60 years old are typically used twelve years after
Kyrill /
Vogelsberg The Norway spruce is one of the most widely planted spruces, both in and outside of its native range, and one of the most economically important coniferous species in Europe. In North America Norway spruce is widely planted, specifically in the
Northeastern,
Pacific Coast, and
Rocky Mountain states, as well as in southeastern Canada. It is
naturalised in some parts of North America. Naturalised populations occur from
Connecticut to
Michigan, and probably elsewhere. Seed production begins when the tree is in its fourth decade and total lifespan is up to 300 years in its natural range in Europe. Introduced Norway spruces in the British Isles and North America have a much shorter life expectancy. As the tree ages, its crown thins out and lower branches die off. In the northern US and Canada, Norway spruce is reported as invasive in some locations; however it does not pose a problem in
Zone 6 and up as the seeds have a significantly reduced germination rate in areas with hot, humid summers. The Norway spruce tolerates acidic soils well but does not do well on dry or deficient soils. From 1928 until the 1960s it was planted on surface mine spoils in Indiana. The following cultivars have gained the
Royal Horticultural Society's
Award of Garden Merit: • 'Acrocona' and
paper production. File:Norway spruce (Picea abies) trunk cross section.png|
Picea abies trunk cross section File:Picea abies wood texture.jpg|
Picea abies trunk cross section close-up The Norwegian company
Borregaard produces the synthetic substitute for natural vanilla
Vanillin using the Norwegian spruce. They are currently the only company to produce wood based vanillin and is claimed by the company to be preferred by their customers due to, among other reasons, its much lower carbon footprint than petrochemically synthesised vanillin. It is esteemed as a source of
tonewood by stringed-instrument makers, and is commonly used for
violins. One form of the tree called (Hazel-spruce) grows in the European Alps and has been recognised by
UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. This form was used by
Stradivarius for instruments.
As food The tree is the source of
spruce beer, which was once used to prevent and even cure
scurvy. Norway spruce shoot tips have been used in traditional Austrian and Finnish medicine internally (as syrup or tea) and externally (as baths, for inhalation, as ointments, as resin application or as tea) for treatment of disorders of the respiratory tract, skin, locomotor system, gastrointestinal tract and infections. During the production of
Mont d'Or cheese it is wrapped in a "
sangle" made from the
cambium of a Norway spruce (French: '''') for about two weeks at least, which gives the cheese a unique flavour. In
Finland, Norway spruce tips (
Finnish:
kuusenkerkkä) are used as a spice, for example, in syrup, herbal tea, alcohol, smoothies, salt, and desserts. Spruce tip syrup is also used as a
cold medicine. == Longevity ==