M: Norway Spruce

What do you see when you look at this line of non-native trees? What might cause them to grow this way?

We believe a landowner planted these Norway Spruce trees along either side of their driveway many years ago. Though their house is long gone, remnants of their activity remain on the landscape.

This evergreen species is native to northern, central and eastern Europe. It was first introduced to the Americas during colonial times and is now considered naturalized or invasive in the eastern United States. It is especially popular as a holiday tree. Its fruit, which forms in protected cones, does not attract wildlife.

The Norway Spruce can be identified by its scaly, reddish brown bark. Its evergreen needles have four sides and sharp tips.