Serbian Spruce Data Sheet

• Common name: Serbian spruce

• Latin name: Picea omorika

• Genus: Picea

• Height: 40 m (131 ft)

• Type: Evergreen

• Hardiness: Zone 1–7

• Conservation status: Endangered

Picea Omorika, commonly known as the Serbian spruce, is a Conifer native to eastern Europe. Its range extends across Bosnia and Herzegovina and western Serbia.

This tree is generally found at [[low/medium/high]] altitudes, mostly from 800 m (2,620 ft) to 1,600 m (5,250 ft).

The Serbian spruce is a medium to large tree, growing to a height of 40 m (131 ft). The trunk diameter exceeds 1 m. The bark is light brown with grey tints, fairly smooth and scaly. The needles are 2 cm long, flat, with a dark bluish green colour. The cones are cylindrical and up to 8 cm long. Immature cones are deep purple to black, maturing to dark brown. The cones take 8 months to ripen and contain very small seeds.

It can live up to 500 years.

The Serbian spruce is closely related to the Black spruce and Sitka spruce, which all share many of its characteristics.

Although this species is endangered, it readily germinates from seed, with often near 100% germination rates. It is a sought after specimen for garden landscapes for its tall pencil thin appearance. Picea Omorika is extremely frost hardy and will tolerate freezing down to and beyond -50C

Pre Germination

These seeds need no pretreatment or stratification before sowing. Fill trays or pots with quality compost and firm down gently. Spread seeds across the surface; around 25 in a 10 cm pot is ideal. Cover with 3 mm of compost and gently firm down.

Keep compost damp, not soaking wet or dried out. Place pots or trays on a warm windowsill or in a warm conservatory. Germination should occur at 1–3 weeks.

Post Germination

Once seedlings appear, keep them in a well-ventilated area to reduce the risk of damping off disease. Place in a bright location such as a windowsill. Ensure seedlings never dry out. Water logging should also be avoided; young trees hate wet feet. These seedlings are tiny and fragile and should be watched for signs of damping off. Seedlings toughen up fairly rapidly and can be separated into their own 4" pots at 15–20 weeks; by this stage they are frost hardy and can stay outside. Fertilization is not required up to this point. During spring and summer we advise using an NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer every 4 weeks.

CAUTION: Slugs and snails love juicy young pines and spruce.

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