Norway spruce needle. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a section through a needle (leaf) from a Norway spruce tree (Picea abies). At the centre of the needle is vascular tissue, comprising vessels which carry water and nutrients to and from the leaf. Surrounding this is the photosynthetic layer, where carbon dioxide is turned into sugars for the plant. The Norway spruce is an important coniferous timber tree native to northern Europe. Magnification: x100 at 6x7cm size. x150 at 4x5"~SQUARE"