Culture Notes
Norway Spruce tolerates most soils if moist and transplants easily if balled and burlapped or potted. Trees subjected to drought are much happier if they receive periodic irrigation although they tolerate drought well. The root system is shallow and often dense, particularly close to the trunk which makes growing grass difficult. This cultivar makes a great ground cover.
Planting and establishing shrubs
The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer.  This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.Â
Pests, Diseases and Damaging Agents
Pests: Mites are the worst problem. Two gall-forming insects commonly attack Spruce. Eastern Spruce gall adelgid forms pineapple like galls at the base of twigs. Galls caused by Cooley's Spruce gall adelgid look like miniature cones at the branch tips. Bagworms make a sack by webbing needles and debris together. In northern climates, Spruce budworm larvae feed on developing buds and young needles. The Spruce needle miner makes a small hole in the base of a needle then mines out the center. Pine needle scale is a white, elongated scale found feeding on the needles only. Sawfly larvae may feed on the needles. Borers can infest trees which are weakened by other problems.
Diseases: Cytospora canker infects a branch then eventually kills it. Spruce may be attacked by needle casts. Several rust diseases attack Spruce but these are rarely seen.