Thanks guys. Joe, pretty much any species of pine or cedar will hold the needles for a very long time. The needles will eventually turn brown but they will remain. As an example, 2 years ago I hung a stand and did this trick. I have not yet hunted it due to the situation not being right. I went to the stand last week to check on it and those pine boughs are STILL holding the needles. Oak branches also work well, but pine species are best. The Norway spruce will be just perfect for this. Thanks guys and good luck out there!