This paper reports climatic damage and height performance in a Norway spruce progeny trial in northern Norway. Control‐crossed and open‐pollinated material from the Lyngdal seed orchard in southern Norway was tested, as well as controls from northern natural seed stands. The first year after planting the four‐year‐old transplants from the seed orchard were more damaged by winter frost than the controls. No differences in climatic damage were found between open‐pollinated and control‐crossed seed orchard plants. The seed orchard plants, vigorous at planting, showed reduced growth and were not taller than the controls two years after being damaged. Nine years from seeds, however, the survival was still high (95%) and the plants had recovered from the winter frost damages. The Lyngdal seed orchard material is not recommended for use on exposed sites in northern Norway.