Photographer & Copyright

© Mark Apgar

Photo Source

CC BY 4.0

Inclusion in Plant ID / Comparison Guides

This photo is featured in 4 plant ID/comparison guides:

collage of Norway Spruce and Caucasian Spruce

Norway Spruce (Picea abies) vs. Caucasian Spruce (Picea orientalis)

Updated January 16th, 2023

These two species are easily confused; both are tall and have dark green foliage and similar bark. They are easily told apart by needles and twigs, cones, and form. Both are widely planted in landscaping in Eastern North America, with Norway spruce more common. Norway spruce has widely established in the wild whereas Caucasian spruce has generally not done so. Both species are shade-tolerant; Norway spruce is more tolerant of poor drainage.

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collage of White Spruce and Norway Spruce

White Spruce (Picea glauca) vs. Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

Updated July 24th, 2020

These species are sometimes confused, although they are usually relatively easy to distinguish. In cold regions, they are both widely planted in landscaping.

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collage of Eastern Hemlock and Norway Spruce

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) vs. Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

Updated December 29th, 2019

Eastern hemlock and Norway spruce are easy to distinguish up-close, but are sometimes confused from a distance because both have dark green needles and drooping branches and foliage; both are widely used in landscaping, and are highly shade-tolerant.

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The other guide is not yet completed and published.