While not a true dwarf ornamental, the Baby Blue Eyes Spruce tree is the closest thing to a dwarf evergreen tree on the market today. A typical Colorado Blue Spruce will grow 50-75 feet tall and 20 feet wide. For homeowners with size constraints, this simply will not work.
How much space does a blue spruce need?
Colorado blue spruce is hardy in our region. Purchase trees from a local nursery or garden center. Plant trees in full sun from spring to summer in well-drained, slightly acidic, humus-rich, moist ground. Space specimen trees 20 to 30 feet apart.
Is blue spruce a good tree?
With its flexibility and excellent durability, blue spruce makes an excellent addition to almost any landscaping project. Blue spruces, when planted in a row, also do a great job of offering privacy, owing to their structure. They also withstand harsh winds due to their deep root system.
How many feet does a blue spruce grow in a year?
Colorado blue spruce, also called blue spruce (Picea pungens) grows at a slow to medium rate of less than 12 inches per year and up to 24 inches per year when young. It can take 35 to 50 years for a Colorado blue spruce to grow 30 to 50 feet.
Should you trim the bottom of a blue spruce?
Trimming bottom branches of blue spruce creates a neater appearance, and makes it easier to reach underneath the tree to rake or apply mulch. Create even spacing among branches by eliminating branches in thick sections of the tree to match the spacing in thinner sections.
How close can you plant a blue spruce to a house?
I would plant this particular tree species at least 20-25′ away from your house as it is my experience that most homeowners and landscapers tend to plant trees way too close to structures. Keep some distance!
How deep are the roots on a blue spruce?
According to the U.S. Forest Service, blue spruce trees develop shallow roots after seed germinate, perhaps only 2 to 3 inches deep. This reveals that this tree species grows with a spreading, shallow root system.
How many years does a blue spruce live?
Growth and Yield- Blue spruce is apparently a long-lived tree, surviving up to 600 years or more. Diameter growth is slow; trees 10 to 13 cm (4 to 5 in) in d.b.h. may be 125 to 135 years old; at 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 in), they may be 275 to 350 years of age (84).
How quickly do blue spruce grow?
Growth Rate This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12″ to 24″ per year.
How much does a 6 foot blue spruce cost?
Colorado Blue Spruce – InstalledHeight in feetPrice eachMinimum order5 – 6$159.95 each10 trees6 – 7$179.95 each10 trees7 – 8$199.95 each10 trees
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Do spruce trees grow fast?
While the majority of these coniferous tree species have a fairly unremarkable average growth rate (between 6 inches and 11 inches per year), the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens glauca) are renowned for their extraordinarily fast rates of growth.
What is blue spruce wood good for?
Uses: The Colorado blue spruce is most commonly used for windbreaks throughout the country. The thickness of the trees reduces wind velocities and can reduce soil erosion greatly. The Colorado blue spruce is not used to make lumber because of its knotty wood and weakness compared to other trees used for lumber.
What is the difference between a blue spruce and a Colorado blue spruce?
Blue spruce belongs to the species Picea pungens and is common in North America. It is also called Colorado spruce. Norway spruce belongs to the species Picea abies. It is native to Northern Europe and can also be found in the central and eastern parts of the continent.
How do you keep blue spruce blue?
Instead, giving the tree the best care possible will give you the edge on keeping a blue spruce blue. First, be sure to give your tree a full sun location with good drainage in an appropriate hardiness zone. Next, give it sufficient water to keep the soil moist, plus an extra inch (2.5 cm.)
Do blue spruce shed needles?
Conifers – pines, spruces and others – sometimes lose older needles during the fall. This is normal, and does not indicate a pest problem.
How do you stop a spruce tree from growing taller?
Spruce trees grow slowly, just keep up with the pruning. If you top the tree, it will prevent it from growing tall. This means cut the central trunk at the point you’d like to keep it from growing taller. Avoid cutting the lower branches at the trunk, they will never regrow.
Why is my blue spruce dying from the bottom up?
There could be several reasons for the lower branches dying on your spruce. If the upper branches provide too much shade, the lower branches naturally die off. … Cytospora canker is a fungus that attacks spruces and causes branch death. Look for white oozing sap on the dead branches—usually back near the trunk.
How can I make my blue spruce grow faster?
Blue Spruce Growth Rate To encourage growth, do not plant the tree in dry or arid sites; this can stunt it or cause it to struggle. Provide consistent moisture for best growth.
What can be planted under blue spruce trees?
Plantaginea variety that bears nice flowers. Some other popular choices for under-tree cover include sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), which has white flowers and fragrant foliage, and grasses in the Ophiopogon species, like Black Mondo grass. Vinca vine (Vinca minor) is valued for its glossy leaves and blue flowers.
Do blue spruce have invasive roots?
Depending upon the size of your spruce, you’ll find most of the roots in the top 12-18″ of soil, extending out at least as far as the branch tips. … Typically the roots are not invasive, but it depends upon how close the tree is planted to them.
Can a blue spruce be transplanted?
Blue spruce grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 7 and transplant best as container-grown seedlings in the early spring or in the fall. Bare-rooted seedlings are available but are tricky to adequately water, making them more susceptible to blue spruce transplant shock.
Do spruce trees damage foundations?
Tree roots themselves don’t actually damage a foundation. It’s the contraction from drought which can pull away supporting soil from around or beneath a foundation. This leaves room for the foundation to settle unevenly, which can cause cracks.
Can blue spruce roots damage Foundation?
Spruces don’t have any reputation for damage to foundations. … Spruces have shallow roots (notorious for it), maples go deeper (tho’, like all trees, they do have shallow roots as well).
Which trees can be planted close to houses?
- Guava Tree (Psidium guajava) …
- Tamarind Tree (Tamarindus indica) …
- Eucalyptus Tree (Eucalyptus globulus) …
- Lemon Tree (Citrus limon) …
- Curry Tree (Murraya koenigii) …
- Wood Apple/Bael Tree (Aegle marmelos) …
- Drumstick Tree (Moringa oleifera) …
- Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica)
What is the fastest-growing tree for privacy?
What are the fastest-growing trees for privacy? Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.
How big do spruce trees get?
Spruces are large trees, from about 20 to 60 m (about 60–200 ft) tall when mature, and have whorled branches and conical form.
How many inches does a blue spruce grow per year?
This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12″ to 24″ per year.
Are blue spruce trees Hardy?
Colorado Blue Spruce Planting Guide Colorado blue spruce grows best in a sunny location with moist, well-drained, fertile soil. It tolerates dry wind and can adapt to dry soil. The tree is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7.
When should you plant a blue spruce?
Unlike many plants, its best to plant blue spruce during the dormancy period of November to March. Planting during cold temperatures allows the blue spruce to develop roots for the spring season. Choose a site with full sun, loose draining soil, and plenty of elbow room.
How long will a cut blue spruce last?
Spruce. This tree stays fresh for about two weeks, according to Thomas. It is somewhat popular because it is relatively inexpensive, though Thomas said he generally does not recommend the tree.
What kills blue spruce trees?
By far the most common complaint of cultivated blue spruces is needle cast disease, mostly that caused by the fungus Rhizospaera kalkhoffii. It infects young needles and overwinters on living or recently killed foliage. During the growing season, the spores spread to other branches, or other trees, by splashing water.
