'Take-off' time depends on several factors, so hard to say. Important ones are (1) how large the plants were (larger = slower), (2) what % of the root system was broken off during the transplanting (more damage = slower), (3) whether the roots dried out at all during the transplanting (drier = slower), and (4) how well spread out the roots were on planting (better spread = faster). With good quality plants and good planting, one year; with near-dead plants, it can be many years, if ever.

Excessive rain shouldn't bother them, unless they are in saturated soil for fairly long periods.

Resin

which ADF .. link below

the quality of what you started with.. MIGHT make a big difference ...

once at google... add picea abies to the search engine.. then flip over to the IMAGES side .. to see the potential of what you planted ...

also ... you planted a WIND BREAK ... your county soil conservation district [google that too] ... should have helpful information of establishing such ...

good luck
ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

sorry -- ADF = Arbor Day Foundation

I've since learned that many conifers don't much like the bare-root treatment, however my Dawn Redwoods didn't seem to mind it at all.

The county office hasn't been very helpful. I can't seem to get them to return a call. I've since found that it's just one guy (or at least it seems that way.

I did find a big local nursery not far from here. I think I'll visit and ask what he's had best results with.

I went out and checked them when I got off work today, and compared that to photos of when they first went in. Out of the three living, only one looks better than it did at planting.

Hogmanay, in addition to the above comments, I can tell you that in the seedling size class, nearly any conifer is transplantable. I've done hundreds of NS from seedlings, with excellent results. Of course, my location likely differs from yours greatly. Also, as resin has pointed out already, NS has no particular difficulty dealing with fairly high soil moisture. In fact, I'd call that one of their preferences.

With only 4 seedlings, it is impossible to determine if there is something significantly bad about this site for them. Sometimes, new transplants just don't make it, and we never really know why. It could well have been a factor before you even received them.

I think your idea of visiting that nursery may be most helpful.

+oM

ADF is a great place to make a heartfelt donation ...

but they arent known for the quality of their stock ... i would guess 50 to 75% of the peeps fail ...

so... you are way ahead of the curve if they are actually living....

it has nothing to do with bare root per se .... it has to do with how they were harvested.. how they were stored... long before you ever got them ...

then how you planted them.. and aftercare ...

babes like those you got... can take a couple years to really get moving.. so patience and some water when they need it.. is the way to go .... especially in drought ...

good luck and merry Christmas... ken

TIA:

You may be too far south for Norway spruce. These trees are very adaptable, but "nearly zone 8" with soil that doesn't sound ideal, may be stretching things a bit. You might want to try deodar cedars, or something else.

But to answer your question. Typically, Norway spruce will become more or less established by the third year. Often they will make some good growth in the first or second year, depending on how they are planted and soil conditions.

But another factor is the size. Very small seedlings will grow more slowly than larger ones, even after they are established. The rate of growth of Norway spruce seedlings, until they reach about 4 1/2 feet tall, depends on their height, and on their fulness/vigor. Of course there may be some exceptions. After they are about 4 1/2 feet tall, their basic growth rate will be established, whatever that is based on site factors and the genetics of the particular strain of NS you have.

--Spruce

Great information all, thanks.

I spoke with a guy who's been doing landscaping and planting around here for several years and now owns a nursery. He said he had very limited success with Norway Spruce, but he is familiar with the valley where I live. He told me about a high-end subdivision where he planted Norway Spruce about 10 years ago and I went to take a look. Amazing! Although he did get some Zone 7 stock at about 6' when he planted, and all I got was Arbor Day Foundation seedlings.

Anyway, I dug one up to move it and the roots were well established. So that made me feel a little better.

The local nursery guy said he'd get me an Atlas Cedar and Deodar (sp?) Cedar come spring. (Seedlings as I would rather watch them grow).