(Picea abies 'Acrocona')

A very interesting Evergreen can be observed at Winona State University: the Acrocona Spruce, an upright weeping cultivar of the Norway Spruce (Picea abies 'Acrocona').  This tree was originally found in the forests of Sweden in the late 1890s.

The name "Acrocona" means "with terminals on the ends of the branches."  This is a good description of the growth of the cones on this tree, since the branch tends to end with the cones.  Due to this growth pattern, side branching occurs much more than on a normal evergreen and the tree’s appearance can be quite unruly.

While the Norway Spruce can grow to more than 80 feet tall with a trunk diameter of three feet or more, the Acrocona Spruce is a much shorter and denser variety.  The Acrocona Spruce grows slowly, reaching a height of 6 to 8 feet after ten years of growth.

Because of the density and irregularity of its branches, the Acrocona Spruce gives an attractive display of cones, from their original development as small purple flowers in spring to full-grown, seed-bearing cones about 2 to 3 inches long in the fall.  The cones persist through winter and in early spring release the small winged seeds.

The Acrocona is definitely an unusual member of the Spruce family.  At Winona State University, several Acrocona Spruce trees can be found on either side of the main entrance of Phelps Hall, on the west side of the building.  

 (see #90 on the maps)

Last Modified: Thursday, May 08, 2008 13:59 by