Picea abies / Abete rosso

Origin: Northern and Central Europe

Botanical characteristics: It is an evergreen bamboo. When young the growth habit is conical, while it is columnar when mature. It is fast-growing and can exceed 40 meters in height under good conditions. The reddish-brown bark peels in small scales. The needles are single, pointed, dark green, glossy, 1 to 2.5 cm long and quadrangular with cross-sections. It is a monoecious plant with separated male and female flowers on the same plant. The strobili, commonly known as cones, are pendulous and cylindrical. They are deep green, but turn brown at maturity.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: In Italy it can be found in the Alps and Northern Apennines. It is the main component of the coniferous forest in the subalpine woodlands, called the “Picetum subalpinum”, between 1100 and 1900 meters in altitude. It was widespread throughout the Alps, including the lower areas till the limits of the plain. It can adapt to all types of soils. It prefers acidic soil and tolerates limestone.

Use: It is widely used in forestry and is suitable for reforestation of upland areas, where it is also used as formal hedge. It is the commonly used plant for the Christmas tree. It does not tolerate the urban and plain areas.