Steve: One thing I have never tried to track down is whether some areas where Norway spruce is not particularly attractive have had NS planted that were of an inappropriate strain for the area. I can imagine that nurseries in some areas buy from the same grower, and that grower may not use the best seed source for the area. Several of the spruces are very variable, but none more so than NS.
Also it is sometimes simply a matter of taste. One time I looked at a drop dead gorgeous spruce tree with another person, and said, "what a beautiful tree." Then my companion said, "that thing looks thin and ugly to me--I don't like trees that have spaces between the branches." Anyway, let me put it in these terms--NS is too often inconsistent. Sometimes the top can become excessively thin and begin to deteriorate. I believe this is often a lawn chemical problem if not an inappropriate strain problem. Sometimes it is just a problem with the genetics of an individual tree. At its best, I think it is one of the most beautiful trees in the world. Oriental spruce is more consistent, and for most people is a prettier tree. Have you seen older Oriental spruce trees, 80 feet tall or so? It is with age that they develop their real beauty, and the best strains of Oriental spruce often have a wonderful weeping habit to their foliage. They are a bit slower growing than NS. And they are especially frustratingly slow starters. I think of Oriental spruce as a good tree to have in a yard where you will have nice little garden parties. They can be very neat and well behaved. Norway spruce are much rougher and more bold. Put a really big old majestic Norway spruce in the middle of a garden party, and the guests look up into its rugged soaring crown, become uneasy, and move to some far corner of the yard. --Gaines -------------------------------------
