The present paper deals with the different shoot forms of Norway Spruce Picea abies (L.) Karst. resulting from a bud. These are the regular, the proleptic and the proventitious shoots. They are seen here as the result of shoot elongation from buds with growth induction at different phases of development. Thereby Norway Spruce acts and reacts variously depending on tree ages and stand conditions. The ecologic importance of shoot formation is the optimal exploitation of growth on the one band, and a means for regeneration on the other hand. Besides the architectural model the "opportunistic" architecturc of Norway Spruce is described and figured in detail. The structure of the crown of Spruce is illustrated as an ideal normal-model. The variability of branching forms is also shown. With regard to the State of healthy of trees, different degrees of crown states are defined, which were derived from typical branching forms. Besides the needle state of the crown and the branching types also the activity of proventitious shoots is considered.
