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 is 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 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

Growth Habit

Serbian Spruce shoot growth usually starts in February and continues until September. Yearly height increases of 0.3–0.6 ft are common beyond season 2.

These were sown this year. Plants are 2 - 3" tall.

Saplings are in pots. I recommend they are separated into their own 4" pots when you receive them. Growth rate is medium. Plants can be kept in a cool conservatory, windowsill or outside over the winter months.

Fully hardy off to minus 18°C or colder come autumn.

Care Instructions

Keep free from competing weeds and never allow to completely dry out. Water logging should also be avoided. Trees will perform best raised outdoors in full sunny position. The growth rate is medium and will soon need re-potting to beyond a 10" pot. Once the trees reach around 1 ft high they can be set in their final planting position.

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