The Oriental spruce

Conifers · tree portrait

The Oriental spruce

From the mountain forests of the Caucasus and north-east Turkey. A dark, elegant spruce with the shortest needles in its genus.

Picea orientalis
Shortest spruce needles
Caucasus and Turkey

Picea orientalis

Summary

The Oriental spruce in brief

A tall, dense spruce with glossy, very short needles, also known as Caucasian spruce.

In the humid mountain forests along the Black Sea, from north-east Turkey to Georgia, it grows into a stately tree of 30 to 40 metres and sometimes more. At 6 to 10 millimetres, its needles are the shortest of all spruces, glossy dark green and blunt.

Those short needles, lying close against the twig, give the tree a fine, almost velvety texture. That is why it is planted in Europe as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.

Not the Nordmann fir

Confusingly, the Nordmann fir, our popular Christmas tree, is also called the 'Caucasian fir' and comes from the same region. But that is a fir (Abies), with flat needles and upright cones.

Botanical: Picea orientalis
Origin: Caucasus and north-east Turkey
Height: usually 30–40 m
Needles: 6–10 mm, glossy, blunt
Cones: hanging, 6–10 cm
Wood: light and pale, used locally

To be fair: in western Europe it plays no significant role as a timber. In its native range the wood is used locally, much like spruce; in Europe it is grown mainly as an ornamental.

Recognising

How to recognise an Oriental spruce

Oriental sprucePicea orientalis

Very short needles

6 to 10 mm, glossy dark green and blunt at the tip — the shortest of all spruces.

Dense, fine crown

The short needles make the tree look fine-textured and dark.

Hanging cones

Slender cones of 6 to 10 cm, often purplish to reddish when young.

Mountain forest

In the wild, a tree of cool, moist mountain slopes.

From tree to plank

The wood of the Oriental spruce

Like spruce timber

Light, pale and even, with properties very similar to those of the Norway spruce.

Local construction timber

Used in Turkey and the Caucasus for building and joinery.

Not very durable

Naturally has little resistance to weather and ground contact.

An ornamental in our gardens

Planted in Europe for its dark, refined look.

Spruce or fir?

A spruce leaves a rough twig with pegs once you pluck its needles, and has hanging cones. A fir has a smooth twig with round scars, and cones that stand upright and fall apart.

Quick answer

Frequently asked questions about the Oriental spruce

Is the Oriental spruce a Christmas tree?

Not the usual one. The popular 'Nordmann' is a different tree: the Nordmann or Caucasian fir (Abies nordmanniana).

Why are its needles so short?

It is a feature of the species: at 6 to 10 mm, it has the shortest needles of all spruces.

Where does it grow in the wild?

In the mountain forests of the Caucasus and north-east Turkey.

Is its wood used?

Locally, yes, as a construction timber comparable to spruce; in Europe it is grown mainly as an ornamental.

The Oriental spruce in perspective

A dark, refined spruce — and the answer to a question that comes up again every December.

The spruce tree Conifers To The Wood Guide

Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Picea orientalis — Jurgen from Netherlands, CC BY 2.0

The Wood Guide

More in Trees & forests

← PreviousThe Serbian spruce Next →The Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

Other sections:Wood species Understanding wood Care & finishing Choosing & buying Build it yourself

Your cart is empty

Your cart

Estimated total

The Oriental spruce

The Oriental spruce

The Oriental spruce in brief