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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Picea asperata is an evergreen Tree growing to 40 m (131ft 3in) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Inner bark Seed
Edible Uses: Tea
Young male catkins - raw or cooked. Used as a flavouring[172]. Immature female cones - cooked. The central portion, when roasted, is sweet and syrupy[172]. Inner bark - dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread[172]. An emergency food when all else fails. Seed - raw. Too small and fiddly to be worthwhile unless you are desperate[172]. A refreshing tea, rich in vitamin C, can be made from the young shoot tips[172].
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
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Other Uses
Essential Resin Wood
Wood - soft, not strong. Used in general construction[46, 61]. It is also valued for its use in the pulp industry to make paper[171]. The timber is used for construction, aircraft, railway sleepers, furniture, and wood fiber[266]. The trunk is used for producing resin[266]. The roots, branches, and leaves are used for producing aromatic oils[266].
Special Uses
Cultivation details
Likes abundant moisture at the roots, if grown in drier areas it must be given a deep moist soil[11]. Succeeds in wet cold and shallow soils but is not very wind-firm in shallow soils[1]. This species prefers a dry cold high mountain site[200]. Prefers a pH between 4 to 6[200]. Dislikes shade[200]. Tolerates poor peaty soils[200]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[11]. Resists wind exposure to some degree[200]. This species has been planted experimentally in Europe as a timber tree[50]. Growth of young trees is usually very slow due to damage by late spring frosts[11]. However, once trees get above 2 metres (which can take 10 years or more) growth increases and can be fairly rapid with an average of 30cm a year common[185]. In some upland areas, especially over granitic or other base-poor soils, growth rate and health have been seriously affected by aluminium poisoning induced by 'acid rain' pollution[200]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[200]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[200]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[200].
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The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Seed - stratification will probably improve germination so sow fresh seed in the autumn in a cold frame if possible[80]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a cold frame[78]. A position in light shade is probably best[78]. Seed should not be allowed to dry out and should be stored in a cool place[80]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. They can be planted out into their permanent positions in early summer of the following year, or be placed in an outdoor nursery bed for a year or so to increase in size. They might need protection from spring frosts. Cuttings of semi-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 8cm long, August in a frame. Protect from frost. Forms roots in the spring[78]. Cuttings of mature terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long, September/October in a cold frame. Takes 12 months[78]. Cuttings of soft to semi-ripe wood, early summer in a frame. Slow but sure.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Expert comment
Author
Mast.
Botanical References
11200266
Links / References
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Readers comment
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