The Norway Spruce is the major tree in the Black Forest of Germany. As the fastest growing spruce, it has seen over 6 ft of growth in one year, given perfect weather and very little competition. This spruce is not a tree for a small yard.
The Blue Spruce is also sometimes called the Colorado Blue Spruce. The Navajo and Keres Native Americans presented gifts of twigs to bring good fortune. The foliage has the ability to withstand temperature extremes. The tree forms a pyramid shape with branches growing horizontally to the ground. The botanical name pungens refers to the sharply pointed needles.
The Red Pine is also called the Norway Pine. The bark is reddish brown while the wood has a pale red pigment. The dark green needles are soft and flexible. When bent sharply they snap or break cleanly rather than just folding over as needles of other pines. They are unable to tolerate urban conditions or shading by other tree species.