Watering spruce, Norway spruce, Norway spruce

• Spruce origin
• Spruce care and location
• Pruning spruce
• Fertilizing spruce
• Watering spruce

Spruce origin

The Norway spruce (Picea) belongs to the pine family (Pinaceae). It is widespread in the temperate zones of North America, Europe, and Asia and grows as a conifer with a height of 20 to 60 meters. In Germany, Norway spruces usually reach an age of 200 to 400 years. A remarkable Norway spruce stands in Sweden: "Old Tjikko" is around 9.500 years old. This refers not to the above-ground trunk, but to an ancient root system from which new trunks continually grow. The tree itself is a clone that regenerates from the nearly 10.000-year-old roots. 

In mythology, the spruce was often seen as a tree of immortality or as a symbol of the connection between heaven and earth. The spruce grows quickly and was therefore a symbol of hope for the Romans. For the Germanic tribes, the spruce was a tree of protection and life. Its straight and orderly growth form stood for clarity and was meant to show the way of life.

The spruce is monoecious, meaning it produces separate male and female cones. The male cones are smaller and are usually found on the lower branches of the spruce. They contain the male inflorescences, which develop pollen-producing stamens in spring. The female cones are larger and are usually found on the upper branches of the spruce. 
The spruce has green, short, and narrow needles that are about 2 to 4 cm long. The spruce needles grow individually and spirally on the branch.
The fruits of the spruce are the seeds contained in the female cones. They ripen in the autumn and remain on the branches over the winter. In the spring, the seeds fall from the cones and are spread by the wind or animals.

Spruce care and location

Spruce trees prefer a sunny to partially shaded location with acidic to slightly acidic soils.  

Pruning spruce

Spruce trees don't usually require regular pruning. However, if the tree has been damaged or is growing unusually, targeted pruning may be necessary to improve its shape. The best time for pruning is before new growth begins in spring.

Fertilizing spruce trees

Spruces should be pruned in autumn or spring fertilized Mature compost is a good fertilizer. Spruces are susceptible to a variety of pests, including beetles, caterpillars and fungi. To protect spruces, it is a good idea to regularly check for signs of pests and combat them.

Watering spruce

The spruce prefers moist soil and does not tolerate prolonged water shortages. The water requirements of a spruce depend on several factors, such as the length of the dry period and the condition of the tree. It is important that the soil never dries out completely, as this can cause the roots to die. In general, young trees should be watered regularly, while mature trees usually only need watering during dry periods. Signs of water shortages in spruces include limp, brown needles and dried-out shoots. When these signs appear, the tree should be watered as soon as possible. Watering with the garden hose often causes a lot of water to run off or evaporate before it can reach the spruce's roots.

Using tree bath watering bags These watering bags are particularly efficient for watering spruce trees. They have two holes at the bottom through which water is released evenly to the tree over several hours. This drip irrigation allows the roots to absorb the water, keeping the soil consistently moist and conserving water by preventing unnecessary surface runoff. One watering bag is sufficient to supply young trees with enough water. To water established trees, two or three bags can be connected using zippers. A layer of mulch around the root area helps retain moisture in the soil and suppress weed growth.