Norway Spruce Acrocona

Norway Spruce Acrocona (Picea abies Acrocona) – a cultivar of the Norway spruce. The cultivar was found in 1890 in a forest near Uppsala (Sweden). It is currently a very popular cultivar in Europe.

It is a coniferous small tree with a broadly conical crown and drooping branches. It may grow as a bush without a distinct leader. Lower branches often rest on the ground. It grows slowly, reaching 3–4 m in height and 3 m in diameter at 30 years. Annual height increase is 10 cm, width increase is 8 cm. Bark in youth is brownish and smooth, later becoming reddish-brown and scaly-rough.

Needles are deep green, young shoots are soft green in color, up to 2 cm long.

Cones are mostly female, very decorative, large and cylindrical. Young cones are purple or purplish-brown, mature cones are light brown. Male cones appear rarely. Begins to bear fruit from 3 years of age.

Hardiness zone: zone 7 (-15°C).

Location: light-loving but shade-tolerant. In youth it is susceptible to spring sunscald. Grows well on fresh, well-drained acidic, sandy or loamy soil. Does not tolerate waterlogging, drought or soil salinity. Does not like air pollution. In monoculture it can lead to soil acidification.

Planting: Soil mix: turf and leaf soil, peat, sand in a ratio of 2:2:1:1. Drainage is made from crushed brick, in a layer of 15-20 cm. Planting depth: 50-70 cm. Root collar at ground level.

Care: after planting you can apply fertilizer - 100-150 g of nitroammofoska. During dry periods it is recommended to water daily with 10-12 liters per plant. Crown sprinkling is also desirable. Loosen the soil to a depth of 5-6 cm; do not remove the peat, but mix it with the soil. Young seedlings need to be covered with boughs for the winter.

Pruning: tolerates pruning well. With proper formation of a living hedge, an effect of an «impenetrable green wall» can be achieved. If two tops form, one should be removed.

Diseases: shütte, snow shütte, fusariosis, stem and root rot, bark necrosis, ulcerous (canker) disease, cone rust, spruce tortrix.

Pests: spruce leafroller, spider mite, Sitka spruce aphid.

Propagation: by grafting onto Norway spruce.

Use: Recommended for Japanese, small cottage or rock gardens.