Red Spruce (Picea rubens) vs. Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Updated December 29th, 2019These species are sometimes confused, but are easily distinguished by growth habit and cones, and can also be distinguished by fine details of needles and twigs. In North America, they can occur together where Norway spruce has escaped cultivation and become established in the wild. Most landscaping plants, however, are Norway spruce.