Spruce is a characteristic species in Norwegian pine forests and can be found in most parts of the country, although less common in western Norway and in the north. The spruce tree, which can reach a maximum height of 50 meters, can be found both in planted and naturally growing forests. When allowed to grow naturally, old and dead spruce provides important habitat for insects and fungi, and various species of lichen are often found at the lower part of the tree trunk and close to the ground.