Norway spruce tree named ‘Dougart12’

A new and distinct Picea abies plant that exhibits a compact and pyramidal

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct plant ofPicea abies(L.) H. Karst. (Norway spruce tree) known by the varietal name ‘Dougart12’. The new variety was discovered and selected from a group of seedlings in a cultivated area of an outdoor nursery bed in 2000 in Wernhout, The Netherlands. As such, its parental varieties are unknown. When compared toPicea abiesvariety ‘Will's Zwerg’ (unpatented), ‘Dougart12’ is more symmetrical in overall appearance, exhibits a faster growth rate, and has a smaller branch diameter. ‘Dougart12’ has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations. The following characteristics distinguish the new variety from otherPicea abiesvarieties:1. Upright, pyramidal growth habit;2. Compact (miniature) size;3. Slow growth rate;4. Short branches and internodes; and5. Dark green-colored and short needles;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The data that defines these characteristics were collected by asexual reproductions performed via upright, upper branch shoot cuttings in 2008 carried out in Hörstel-Riesenbeck, Germany. Plants of the new variety were grown under natural daylight and outdoors with full sun. The color readings and measurements were primarily taken on 4-year-old plants grown in 7.5 liter containers. Color references are primarily to The 2007 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, Fifth Edition.

PLANT

Plant type and use: Coniferous, evergreen tree for use as a Christmas tree.Shape: Upright and conical/pyramidal.Growth habit: Upright and conical; the main trunk grows from the base and has lateral branches.Average growth rate: Between 15 to 20 cm per season.Overall height: 200 cm at 10 years.Overall diameter: 118 cm at 10 years.Hardiness: Typical ofPicea abiesplants.Cold temperature tolerance: Typical ofPicea abiesplants, to −25° C.Time to produce a finished plant: 4 years, with a height of 60-70 cm.Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: None observed to date.Trunk:Diameter.—2.2 cm, measured at 20 cm in height from the ground.Color.—Variations of Grey-Brown Group RHS 199D and Greyed-Green Group RHS 197B to 197D.Texture.—Rough and scale-like.Vegetative terminal bud:Average length.—0.7 to 0.8 cm.Average width.—0.4 to 0.5 cm.Shape.—Ovate.Color.—Grey-Brown Group RHS N199D.Time of beginning of terminal bud burst.—Early to mid-season.

BRANCH DESCRIPTION

Average number:Main branches.—1 trunk has 7 whorls and there are 4-5 main branches per whorl, averaging a total of 30 main branches when a plant is 50-60 cm high.Secondary branches.—4-6 per main branch.Twigs.—0-3 per secondary branch; low number of twigs overall.Shape:Main branches.—Rounded.Secondary branches.—Rounded.Twigs.—Rounded.Color:Main branches.—Greyed-Orange Group RHS 164B.Secondary branches.—Greyed-Yellow Group RHS 162B.Twigs.—Greyed-Yellow Group RHS 162B.Diameter:Main branches.—0.5 cm.Secondary branches.—0.2 cm.Twigs.—0.15 cm.Length:Main branches.—16-27 cm.Secondary branches.—4-8 cm.Twigs.—1-2 cm.Surface description:Main branches.—Rough and scale-like.Secondary branches.—Rough and scale-like.Twigs.—Rough and scale-like.Branching description: Main branches extend upwardly from trunk at 30-45° angles.Internode length:Between main and secondary branches.—3-4 cm.Between twigs.—Very short, with a low number of twigs.

NEEDLE DESCRIPTION