Picea orientalis

4 Jan

Picea orientalis cone (26/12/2011, Belkovice, Czech Republic)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period:

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Eventual Height: 40m

Eventual Spread: 13m

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Pinaceae

Picea orientalis is a large pyramidal evergreen tree. The dark green leaves are needle like and under 1cm long. The shoots are a buff brown and its medium brown coloured trunk may achieve a diameter of 1.5m. This tree is monoecious. The cones are cylindrical and slender (1.5cm), up to 9cm long and hang vertically down from the branches. These appear red/ purple and mature to a mid brown about seven months after pollination.

Picea orientalis (26/12/2011, Belkovice, Czech Republic)

Picea orientalis, commonly known as the Caucasian Spruce or Oriental Spruce, is native to the Caucasus and north east Turkey. It was introduced into the UK in 1839. It is slow growing whilst establishing, after ten years the speed of growth increases. The leaves of this tree are the shortest of any Spruce tree.

The etymological root of the binomial name Picea is derived from the Lain Pix meaning ‘pitch or tar’ in reference to the Spruce trees resin. Orientalis is from the Latin meaning ‘from the East: Orient’

The landscape architect may find Picea orientalis valuable as an attractive parkland tree. This tree is drought tolerant once established. It should be located away from cold drying winds.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Picea orientalis their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Picea orientalis detail (26/12/2011, Belkovice, Czech Republic)

Picea orientalis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It is tolerant of most pH of soil, although it prefers acid to neutral soils. It will tolerate soils of poor fertility.

Picea orientalis requires little maintenance.