Norway Spruce vs Red Spruce - TreeTime.ca

Norway Spruce vs Red Spruce

Picea rubens

Picea abies

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Red Spruce
Norway Spruce

Red Spruce is a long-lived, shade tolerant conifer that grows naturally in eastern Ontario and the Maritime provinces. Hardiest in the eastern regions of Canada, this tree tolerates many soil types, moisture levels, and is low maintenance.

Attractive year-round foliage makes Red Spruce a nice ornamental tree for urban and rural landscapes. If you are considering creating a shelterbelt, privacy screen, or hedge in eastern Canada, this tree is an excellent option.

Norway Spruce is a large, openly branched evergreen recognized by its drooping branchlets and large cones. This hardy, adaptable tree thrives in moist conditions, but will grow in clay or sandy soils.

Norway Spruce is the fastest growing spruce we carry but it's not as dense as other spruce trees.

It is sometimes used as a Christmas tree.

Red Spruce Quick Facts

Norway Spruce Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Bark: reddish-brown to black
Cones: red-brown with stiff scales
Cones: large
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 3 m (10 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: eastern spruce, he balsam, he-balsam, yellow spruce
Other Names: european spruce