It also grows well on almost all other types of soils. Growth rates increase with increased soil organic material and are positively correlated to the nitrogen content of the soil. Obligate Climax Species Norway spruce is tolerant of shade. Disturbance events such as windfalls, snow damage, disease and insect attack create small-scale gaps in the mature canopy. Norway spruce is the most common gapmaker and it is also the most common seedling in gaps.
Seedlings survive in an extremely stunted condition for many years.
Norway spruce cones open from May to June. Seeds ripen in late autumn the same year.