Norway Spruce Sapling Trees

• Variety: Norway Spruce, the traditional Christmas tree, as young saplings
• Latin name: Picea abies
• Sold as: Bareroot saplings, 30/50cm tall
• Use: Windbreaks, shelter belts, evergreen hedging and growing your own Christmas trees
• Mature size: More than 12m tall and more than 8m wide, up to 30m
• Evergreen: Yes. Dark green, glossy needles
• Cones: Light brown, hanging, up to 15cm long
• Native: No
• Best soil and site: Acid or neutral soil that is moist but drains well. Not chalk. Full sun. Exposed or sheltered
• Hardiness: H7, hardy in the severest British winter
• Delivered: Bareroot, November to April. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Norway Spruce is the traditional Christmas tree: a fast-growing evergreen conifer with dark, glossy needles and long hanging cones. These young bareroot saplings are for windbreaks, shelter belts, hedging and growing your own Christmas trees, on any moist, acid or neutral soil.

Norway Spruce Sapling Trees

The Common Norway Spruce, Picea abies, is what most people call the traditional Christmas tree, although the "non-drop" Nordmann fir has become popular. When it's grown out in the open, with full sun, it'll take a classic Christmas tree shape, with a broad base of spreading branches close to the ground and a gently tapering shape towards the top. It decorates itself with quite long, cigar shaped cones that hang down from the branches.

If it's grown in a forest situation, it'll lose its lowest branches as they're shaded out and concentrate on growing straight up. Eventually, it'll become a tall, slender tree to 40 metres with a clear trunk for over half its height and quite a small, narrow canopy.

But when clipped as a hedge, it makes an excellent windbreak.

You can also buy Blue Spruce for more ornamental foliage.
Browse our other evergreens, or our full range hedging and saplings.

Delivery season: Spruce are delivered bareroot during late autumn and winter, approximately November-April inclusive.

Growing

Chalky soil isn't suitable. Your trees will grow in any soil type that is fairly moist and fertile. When the trees are young, they'll tolerate quite a lot of shade and simply grow slowly, working their way into the light. Exposed, windy locations are fine.

What Tree is a Christmas Tree?

• Norway Spruce, Picea abies, is a cheap option that smells great, but drops its needles quite quickly indoors, so it's better for outdoor use or when buying an indoor tree last minute.
• The most traditional Christmas Tree in the UK is the Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris, which holds its needles pretty well, but is no longer in demand compared to the other species.
• The Nordman Fir, Abies nordmanniana, known as the Non-Drop Christmas tree, has become the most popular for indoor use, especially for people buying their tree early.

Planting Companions

For a Christmas tree that holds its needles indoors, plant Nordmann Fir. Scots Pine is our native conifer, and Blue Spruce has the most ornamental foliage. On chalk, where Spruce fails, Yew is the evergreen to use. Dust bareroot roots with Rootgrow as you plant.

Why Ashridge for Hedging and Young Trees?

Hedging and young native trees are not a sideline here: your Norway Spruce saplings are grown for us by specialist growers. Bareroot plants are lifted to order while dormant and guaranteed for 12 months. Ashridge has sold plants since 1949 and is a Which? Best Plant Supplier 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Norway Spruce drop its needles?

Indoors, yes, quite quickly. It smells wonderful, so it suits an outdoor tree or one brought in at the last minute. Nordmann Fir is the one that holds its needles.

Will Norway Spruce grow on chalk?

No. It wants acid or neutral soil that is moist but drains well. On chalk, plant Yew for an evergreen screen.

How big does Norway Spruce grow?

It is a fast-growing conifer. It reaches more than 12 metres tall and 8 metres wide, up to 30 metres, in 20 to 50 years. Trimmed as a hedge, it stays where you keep it.

Can you grow Norway Spruce as a hedge?

Yes, clipped as a hedge it makes an excellent windbreak. Trim the green growth only, and keep the base of the hedge in the light so that it stays clothed.

Will it grow in shade?

Young trees tolerate quite a lot of shade and grow slowly towards the light. For a dense hedge or a well-shaped Christmas tree, give it full sun.

Is Norway Spruce native to Britain?

No. It is not native. Scots Pine is the native conifer to choose if that matters to your planting.

When are the plants delivered?

Bareroot only, from November to April, while the plants are dormant. You can order at any time of year and your plants are lifted and sent once the season opens.