Picture of the needles on Norway Spruce #499. Taken by Jasemine Brown 10/24/2019
Picture of the hanging needle groups on Norway Spruce #499. Taken by Jasemine Brown 10/24/2019
Cones: Cones are 4-7 inches long that open up from May-June, ripen and are released in late Autumn and winter, and are also wind pollinated. These cones have large scales where seeds are stored until released.
Native range and habitat: Norway spruce is an introduced species planted in mountain areas, especially at higher elevations throughout North America. In Virginia, norway spruce is a introduced species that occurs in only one county, Rockingham.
Distribution of Norway Spruce across Virginia counties (VA Botanical Associates, 2019)(USDA Plants Profile, 2019)
Plant Family: The Pine Family is made up of 10 genera and 250 species of trees. Originating 100 million years ago, produces both male and female cones, needles, and edible seeds for native wildlife.
Ecologic Importance and Uses:
Edible and Medicinal Uses: teas and medicinally for a diuretic, over consumption could lead to kidney complications.
Wildlife, Gardens and Landscaping: Norway Spruce trees are larger trees that provide shelter for many wildlife species, such as birds, mammals, and herps. They also provide nutritional value for wildlife species through fruits and cones. Shelter and food are just a few but necessarily essential keys to a healthy ecosystem.
Campus Specimens - Norway Spruce
State and national champions? The largest Norway Spruce in the country is located in Litchfield, CT. This national champion has a trunk circumference of 218 inches, height of 124 feet, and crown spread of 59 feet. Resulting in a total of 357 points. The Virginia state champion Norway Spruce is located in Tazewell, VA, and has a circumference of 180 inches, height of 125 feet, and crown spread of 50 feet, for a total of 318 points.
At Radford University, Norway Spruce trees can be found on campus (#499 & #497 Norway Spruce Trees are highlighted by two red boxes in the picture below). These species are located in front of Curie Hall & McConnell Library.
Norway Spruce trees can be found on campus (#501, #502, & #503 Norway Spruce Trees are highlighted by a red box in the picture below). These species are located in front of Curie Hall & McConnell Library.
Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. (2019). Fringe Tree Fact Sheet, Virginia Tech Dendrology. dendro.cnre.vt.edu/DENDROLOGY/factsheets.cfm
Page created by: Jasemine Brown, Radford University (2019).