Picea omorika – Serbian spruce

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Pinaceae

Picea omorika – Serbian spruce

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Tree with a slender, straight trunk. The lower branches bend greatly, and the ends grow sharply upwards. This produces a decorative growth pattern. Thanks to its decorative shape and the fact that the tree only grows to be about 4 m wide, it has become one of the most popular Picea. The bark is thin and dark brown and flakes off in sheets: the branches are brown. The flat, stubby needles have 2 white stripes underneath which are clearly visible because of the way the branches bend. The needles on the twigs face forwards. The bright, purplish red male flowers are particularly profuse. After flowering, abundant hanging cones appear which are a violet purple colour at first but later turn a glossy brown. Owing to how close to the surface its roots grow, Picea omorika is sensitive to wind.
Availability
High (2)
Specifications
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Height
15 - 25 (30) m, fast growing
Crown
narrow pyramidal, half-open crown
Bark and branches
dark brown, flaking bark: brown twigs with thick hair
Leaf
needles glossy dark green, 0.5 - 2 cm, silvery grey underneath, evergreen
Flowers
♀ upright, elongated ovoid, purplish-red, ♂ bright purplish-red, May
Fruits
hanging cones, 3 - 6 cm long and about 1 - 2 cm wide
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
all, moisture-retentive and well-permeable
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
5a (-28,8 to -26,1 °C)
Wind resistance
moderate
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6)
Fauna tree
provides food for birds
Application
parks, cemeteries, industrial areas, large gardens, windbreaks
Shape
specimen conifer
Origin
western Balkan mountains
Specimen conifer acid soil clay soil loamy soil peaty soil sandy soil tolerates no paving resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) suitable for shadow narrow conical 1st size , taller than 12 metres half-open crown green greygreen orange/red fast growing provides food for birds non-toxic (usually) Ornamental fruit
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Frequently asked questions
Picea omorika

Picea omorika can eventually reach a height of 15 - 25 (30) m, fast growing, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Picea omorika is fast growing and can eventually reach a height of 15 - 25 (30) m, fast growing, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The right time to plant Picea omorika is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Picea omorika with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Picea omorika blooms in may.
General