Norway spruce

The general rule of thumb for watering a Norway spruce is to keep the soil evenly moist. Depending on your climate and the conditions in your garden, this can mean watering once or twice a week. When you water, you want to make sure to water deeply, so soak the soil until it is moist down to about 6 inches. During periods of extreme heat or drought, you may need to water more often. It is better to water less often but more deeply if needed.

Norway spruce need at least 6-7 hours of sunlight each day for optimal growth. This is a sun-loving species, but it may need some protection from strong afternoon sun in the hottest months of summer.

When pruning Norway spruce (Picea abies 'Formanek') trees, it is important to prune as little as possible. Prune the tree each year in early spring or summer before growth begins. Try to keep the form of the tree natural and symmetrical by pruning only the tip of each branch. Cut directly above a bud, and make sure to use sharp pruning shears to prevent damage. Cut back the branch by about 10-15 cm to encourage branching. Norway spruces should not be substantially pruned and no more than 20-25% of the tree should be pruned in 1 season. Pruning too much can cause damage to the overall form of the tree or even shock the tree.