Siberian Spruce

Latin Name: Picea obovata

DESCRIPTION

Family: Pinaceae

Native Range: Native east from the Ural mountains to the Sea of Okhotsk

Seed Source: Specimen trees, near Indian Head Saskatchewan.

Height and Spread: 15m x 7m

Overview: The seed strain is excellent for tree planting in non-boreal regions. The tree typically has a single round straight trunk and a pyramidal to narrowly conical crown. This seed strain was introduced from the forests near Novosibirsk Siberia in the 1980s. It has proven hardy after 25 growing seasons in southern Saskatchewan. 

Seeds: Dark brown seeds oblong at base 4 mm long. 

Average number of seeds/packet: 800

SEED TREATMENT / SOWING

Stratification: No stratification required. Water soak 24 hours before sowing.

Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in late May.

Sowing instructions: Outdoors - sow 1.0 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell.

Growing conditions: Norway spruce grows on a wide variety of soils but favours loamy soils with a pH of 5.0 to 7.0. It is shade tolerant but grows best in a sunny exposure.

AGROFORESTRY VALUE

'Norman Ross' Norway spruce can be used as specimen or shade trees on larger properties or farmyards. The dense shallow roots make it useful for soil stabilization and erosion control on moist sites. Its dense coniferous crown provides excellent habitat for songbirds and thermal cover for mammals. Excellent wood quality for lumber.