Flora
Plant Spotlight: Norway Spruce
A Norway Spruce we planted about 11 years ago as a seedling.
A few weeks ago we planted 10 more Norway Spruces to replace the ones we’ve used for Christmas trees over the years. Our original spruce grove was planted as a windbreak and we purposely planted them too close together so that as they grew we could harvest some of them for Christmas trees. The others have been doing a great job in shielding our house from the strong winds we often get from the west.
Dan planting one of our new trees
Putting cages around them so the rabbits and deer can’t eat them
A newly planted seedling
Spruces have lots of great qualities and uses. In permaculture design, we look at all the different ways a plant can be helpful in deciding if we want to include it in our landscape. Some considerations are: edible, medicinal, wildlife shelter/food, nectary (provides nectar or pollen for beneficial insects), ground cover, nitrogen fixer, source of lumber or other plant material for all manner of uses, beauty, aromatherapy… There are lots of different possibilities!
Ice cream we made from fresh spring spruce tips
Some of the ways spruces can be used beyond what has already been mentioned, is for food! The young spruce tips that grow in the spring are edible and can be used in a variety of ways. They are high in vitamin C and can be made into syrup, soda, ice cream, baked into cookies, and more.
The light green tips which grow in the springtime are edible
The fresh spruce tips, as well as the older needles can be used to brew as a tea which is lovely and can also be helpful with respiratory issues. The young magenta colored cones when they are just beginning to develop are also edible with a slightly nutty taste. When harvesting from a tree, make sure not to take too much from any one tree so as not to harm it.
Other benefits of the Norway Spruce is that its wood is widely used in construction, as well as for furniture and musical instruments. It is also a great tree to provide dense shade and also has a dense crown which is a great place for birds such as owls and hawks to nestle. It provides habitat for many wild creatures who also appreciate its shelter.
Now next time you see a spruce tree, you may have a newfound appreciation!
Much love from the sanctuary,
Jean
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Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
