How Much Does a Norway Spruce Cost?
The Norway spruce is a well-known tree, particularly at the Rockefeller Center in New York City where it is the official Christmas tree. This fast-growing Spruce can grow up to two feet per year and is commonly used to help top the wind and create a natural privacy screen.
A native of Europe, this evergreen conifer is commonly found as an ornamental tree and as a windbreaker in many urban areas.
How much does a Norway Spruce cost?
Depending on the size, the cost of a Norway Spruce will be anywhere from as little as $40 to as much as $1,000. As with any tree, the taller it is, the more you are going to pay.
For instance, a two to three-foot tall Norway Spruce could cost $28 to $42.
A five to six-foot tree could retail for $90 to $120.
A 10 to 11-foot tree can be between $160 to $275.
A 14 to 16-foot tree could retail for $300 to $540.
Larger trees that are over 18 feet will start around $950.
Another popular variety such as the Columnar Norway Spruce can be in the same range. For instance, on Amazon.com, a two-year graft retails for about $30, but a four to five foot tree can be in the $350 range.
CedarTrees.com, operated by North County Tree Nursery, offers a Norway spruce measuring 5 to 6 feet at $159 each, while a 10-10 ½ foot-tree retails for $375 each. They have a minimum order of 10 trees if you were to take advantage of this offer.
Shehwaken Tree Farm, another nursery, offers the following Norway spruce sizes and prices: 7-8 feet – $85; 8-10 feet – $120; 10-12 feet – $150; 12-14 feet – $225; and 14-16 feet – $300.
At Lowe’s, an 8.75-gallon Norway Spruce retails for close to $98.
Norway spruce seedlings or saplings can range anywhere from $0.30 to $8 each, depending on age and size.
Factors that affect the price
Age
Purchasing a Norway Spruce, just like any other tree you purchase at a local nursery, as a larger tree, can be generally more expensive compared with buying it as a seedling. The most common purchase is in the five to a six-foot range that is planted as a windbreak or privacy barrier. Those who have time to wait for the seedling to grow opt for the basically inexpensive seedling purchase.
Pruning
The best quality Norway spruce trees are pruned in the farm or field to create an even conical shape. Trimming them while they are growing improves the shape, but due to the work involved, these varieties tend to cost more.
Container-grown
Norway spruce trees grown in pots tend to be the most expensive options at some retailers but is considered to be a good investment if you wish to maintain them in the garden for a couple of years.
Services rendered
Some farms have their personnel dig the trees ordered and ship them on the same day, resulting in higher costs.
What are the extra costs?
If the company does not provide delivery and you are unable to pick up your order, you will need to pay for delivery charges.
Having the tree planted by the nursery farm personnel can be arranged. With some farms, the cost for planting is paid directly to the contractor providing the planting services. Some nurseries may plant it for free if you spend a certain amount, but most of the time, a landscaper, depending on the size, will charge around $100 to plant. To find a landscaper in your area and get an exact pricing quote for your job, consider using services such as HomeAdvisor.com.
Tips to know:
Unless otherwise stated by the seller, a Norway spruce purchase will typically just include the ordered size and quantity. At some nurseries, the measurement is taken from the top of the ball to the mid-point of the top leader.
Depending on the size of the tree and the number of trees you order, the company may include delivery to your home.
The tree shoots are orangish-brown, and the leaves are needle-like, about a half inch long.
Some nursery farms require a deposit to be paid when ordering, with the balance payable upon delivery or pick-up.
This tree is drought tolerant and is known to be the coldest hardy spruce available. It’s ideal for growing zones two to seven.
The Norway Spruce is known to also be the most disease resistant spruce you can find, and any serious disease, if it’s a problem in your local area, shouldn’t be an issue.
When planting, try to create an eight to 10-foot space for an effective privacy screen.
Questions to ask a local nursery
Are your Norway spruce trees guaranteed?
If I order online, how long will it take before I receive my order?
Do you plant the trees I purchase from you? If so, how much?
Do you trim your Norway spruce varieties while they grow?
Do you have a return policy?
Do you replace trees that fail to thrive and die? What kind of warranty do you include?
How can I save money?
Some nursery farms offer significant discounts on bulk orders, for example. One farm we found online, for instance, offered a 5 percent discount for buyers who ordered 12 trees and more.
Have the trees planted by the same company you purchase them from as you can receive a cheaper planting rate most of the time.
Buying these trees as a seedling, as with any tree, is the best way to save money. While it may mean a longer waiting period before the trees achieve the preferred growth, the savings involved can be quite substantial. The Norway Spruce can grow at a preferred Christmas Tree height in little as three years, but if you allow it to continue to grow, it can grow as tall as 50 feet.
Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info.
Average Reported Cost: $0
