Oriental Spruce

Synonyms: Abies orientalis (L.) Poir., Abies wittmanniana Voss, Picea withmanniana Carrière, Picea wittmanniana Fisch. ex Gordon, Pinus orientalis L., ель кавказская

Oriental Spruce – a species of evergreen trees of the genus Spruce in the family Pinaceae. A principal forest-forming tree in the mountain forests of the Caucasus and in northern Asia Minor, where it forms pure and mixed stands together with common spruce (Pinus sylvestris), Nordmann fir (Abies Nordmanniana) and Oriental beech (Fagus Orientalis). It is found at elevations of 1345—2130 m. In cultivation since 1837. Lifespan 500-600 years.

It is a large evergreen tree reaching 40-60 m in height in its native range; in Europe it grows to 20-30 m. Crown width 6-8 m. Trunk diameter in the native range may reach 2 m. In youth the tree grows slowly, later the growth rate is moderate. Annual increment 20-25 cm in height and 10 cm in width. Crown dense, branched, conical or narrowly conical, symmetrical. In nature the lower branches reach the ground. Branches grow in layers. Bark thinly scaly, dark brown or dark gray, in young trees the bark is brown.

Young shoots red or yellow-gray, later becoming light gray and gray.

Root system shallow, sensitive to soil compaction.

Buds ovate, 2-6 mm long, non-resinous, reddish-brown. Scales triangular with recurved tips.

Needles needle-like, 5-9 (10) mm long, 0.8-1.1 mm wide, four-sided, blunt on the upper side, slightly flattened, coarse, dark green, glossy. On the upper face there are 1-2 stomatal lines on each face, beneath – 2–5 stomatal lines, arranged more-or-less appressed. The shortest needles of all species of the genus Spruce.

Male flowers red, ovate-rounded. Female flowers 2-2.5 cm long, purple-violet. Blooms in May.

Cones narrow, very decorative, cylindrical or ovoid, 5-8 cm long and 2-3 cm in diameter, bright purple, turning light brown at maturity. Seed scales obovate, margin almost rounded, entire, with longitudinal striations on the back, brightly glossy. Seeds black, 2-5 mm long. Wing longer, reaching 14-17 mm, yellowish-brown. Produces seed regularly.

Cultivars: 'Aureospicata', ‘Aurea’, 'Skylands', 'Nutans', 'Gowdy', 'Nana', 'Golden Star'

Hardiness zone: 5b (-29-34°C)

Site: More wind-resistant than common spruce. In youth it does not tolerate direct sunlight. More shade-tolerant than other spruces. Recovers well. Can grow on the steepest rocky slopes. Requires a large amount of precipitation and high soil and air humidity. Low tolerance to urban conditions. Not demanding with regard to soil fertility.

Planting: does not like transplanting. Soil mix: turf and leaf soil, peat, sand in ratio 2:2:1:1. Drainage made from broken brick, layer 15-20 cm. Recommended spacing between plants – 2-3 m. Planting depth: 50-70 cm. Root collar at ground level.

Care: after planting you can apply 100-150 g of nitroammophoska. In dry periods it is recommended to water at least once a week with 10-12 l per plant. Loosen the soil to a depth of 5-6 cm, mixing peat with the soil rather than removing it. Young seedlings need to be covered with fir branches for the winter.

Pruning: tolerates pruning well, especially when young.

Diseases: Schütte, snow Schütte, fusariosis, stem and root rot, bark necrosis, canker (wound cancer), cone rust, spruce gall/rot (еловый вертун).

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

Propagation: by cuttings and seeds. Seeds germinate in the year of sowing; 1-2 months of stratification accelerates germination. Seed germination rate 10-97%. Seeds are sown in spring to a depth of 1-2 cm in partial shade and mulched with fallen needles to a thickness of 1 cm.

Uses: Most decorative in solitary plantings due to its dense bright-green foliage and conical or broadly conical crown. Can also be used in group plantings, for creating alleys or hedges.

Companion plants: laurel cherry, holly, boxwood, yew, rhododendron.