Picea orientalis
Oriental Spruce
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 50-60' tall and 15-20' wide. Has been known to get as tall as 120'. Usually grows as a dense, tall, narrow pyramid, and often with pendulous horizontal branches. Densely branched and compact. Slow growth rate, 1' or less per year.
Native Range
Native to the Caucasus Mountains, Asia Minor. Introduced 1827.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are monoecious, male carmine-red and resembling strawberries in youth. Fruits in ovoid-cylindrical cones, 2-4" long, 1" wide, short-stalked, reddish-purple when young, brown when mature.
Leaf and Bark Features
Evergreen: Needles blunt-tipped, very short, 0.25-0.5", 4-sided, shiny dark green, with white stomatal lines on each surface. Dense and hiding the stem. Shortest needles of any spruce. Holds its glossy, dark green color through the winter better than other spruces. Bark is brown, exfoliating in thin scales.
Culture and Care
Tolerant of poor, gravelly soils, highly adaptable. Plant where winters are not excessively cold or dry, and protect from harsh winter winds. Has done well in Midwest and Northeast US as a young tree. Zones 4-7. Not salt tolerant. Avoid low, poorly-drained, wet areas. More drought-tolerant than most spruces, but still does best if soil is moist, so mulch around tree is beneficial. Tolerates some shade, but best in full sun. Few if any insect or disease problems.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Superior to all other spruce in ornamental value, a highly underused species. Songbirds enjoy this plant for food and winter shelter from the cold winds. Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Plantsman and author, Michael Dirr, considers this to be one of the 5 best spruces for general landscape use in the Midwest, East, and Upper South, calling this one of his two favorite spruces.
Suggested Uses
An excellent species for use as a graceful, attractive specimen, even in smaller areas. Also good for shade and screening.
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Picea orientalis 'Gowdy' // Gowdy Oriental Spruce
Tree. Very narrow, upright, dense, columnar habit. Average mature size 6-10' tall and only 3-6' wide, with recurved, sweeping branches. Slow growing. Very short, glossy, rich dark green needles that are soft to the touch. Young cones purplish, then greenish-gray to brown. Needs full sun, medium water needs (dry or moist, but not standing water); low maintenance. Makes a good specimen or accent plant, especially for smaller landscapes. Origin of this cultivar is unknown.
BT008547Picea orientalis 'Skylands' // Skylands Oriental Spruce
Tree. Very slowly grows into a golden pyramid. May require vertical staking in youth. Over many years, grows to 10-35' tall and 4-12' wide. Showy, crimson-scarlet male flowers and purple, then brown, pendulous cones. Yellow needles, green beneath. Maintains golden yellow needles that fade somewhat during the heat of summer. When young, it is prone to sunscorch. In hot climates, provide it with some late afternoon shade. Somewhat sheltered locations are best to provide wind protection during extreme winters.
BT000218b - BT005527 - BT005595