Oriental spruce | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Pine
Family (botanic) Pinaceae
Planting site Residential and parks
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Evergreen (foliage year-round)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height 50-60 feet
Mature width 15-25 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, Occasional drought
Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Pyramidal
Growth rate Slow
Transplants well Yes
Planting considerations Intolerant of pollution, May be difficult to find in nurseries
Wildlife Browsers, Nesting birds, Songbirds
Has cultivars Yes

Size and form:

Oriental spruce’s mature height is 50 to 60 feet and mature width is 15 to 25 feet.

Native geographic location and habitat:

It is found natively in the mountains of the Caucasus.

Attracts birds, pollinators, or wildlife:

Nesting birds, browsers, and song birds are attracted to it.

Bark color and texture:

The bark is brown and may peel as the tree ages.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, texture, and color:

Its short, dark green, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long needles are attached singly to the stem. Needles are four-sided with a blunt tip.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Flowers are not ornamentally important.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Cones are on short stalks found at the ends of branches. Mature cylindrical cones are 2 to 4 inches long and 1 inch wide. Cone scales have smooth margins. The cones start out reddish-purple, changing to brown at maturity.