Spruceshrubs and trees are conifers from the genusPicea , which includes 35 specie . Spruce trees and shrubs are characterize by a branch structure , call apulvinus , where the needles attach . This swollen area is forget behind when a acerate leaf drops , provide a clean indication that the plant is a spruce . Unlike the agglomerative needles of pine trees , spruce Tree produce only one acerate leaf per pulvinus .
Spruce trees are fantabulous trees or shrubs for landscape blueprint . Their color variation and minute , conical build makes them lifelike punctuation mark specimens . They ’re also pop choices for Christmas tree diagram .
Where to Plant Spruce
Both graceful and boldly upright , spruce takes on many different shapes in the landscape . Choose an vertical cultivar , such as a ‘ Columnar ’ Norway spruce , and plant as a living screen near a property line . Go with a cultivar with curved branches , such as a ‘ Wells ’ Weeper ’ spruce as a financial statement industrial plant in a landscape painting . The evergreen character of these small - to - declamatory trees makes them year - round contributors to the landscape . Garden in a small space ? pick out a dwarf cultivar or a bush cultivar .
The winder to achiever when plant a spruce tree is to select the right raise site . aboriginal to cool down climates and ironical air , spruce often languishes in red-hot , humid climates . Choose a planting site that has full sun picture and deep , moist , well - drained soil . Spruce tolerates short period of drouth after it is establish . wait for a planting land site that has good air circulation . Anywhere with limited aura movement has the potential to make a moist , humid surround that paves the path for disease .
How and When to Plant Spruce
flora spruce in outflow or former summer . Avoid implant in the heat of summertime as it can stress a newly planted spruce , and then the tree diagram wo n’t found a safe root system , or worse , it may buckle under to drouth and heat stress . Also , do not plant spruces in fall in frigid clime . spruce need several months to develop a strong root organisation before a cold , teetotal winter set in . tree implant in fall are more susceptible to drying winter winds .
To plant a container - grown spruce , dig a mess double as wide and one and a half times as late as the container . Mix some compost into the original filth . Remove the tree from the container and place in the hole , keep the top of the root testicle at dirt stratum . Backfill with dirt and tamp down to remove air pocket . Water well and persist in watering regularly during the first season after planting . pee as necessary during extended dry periods . Blanket the ground around plants with a 2 - inch - thickheaded layer of mulch to avail conserve soil moisture .
Spacing demand for multiple trees or shrubs will vary look on type or cultivar . refer your plant tag for right spacing .
Spruce Care Tips
Light
Most spruce trees and shrubs preferfull sunlight , although a few coinage can thrive when protected from raging good afternoon Sunday in the warmer reach of their hardiness zone .
Soil and Water
A spruce grows sound in moist , well - drain , loamy land amended with organic topic , but it will adapt to clay or sandlike soils , too . It ’s not fussy about pH and can tolerate acidulous , achromatic , or alkaline soils .
piddle spruce on a regular basis and deeply , specially during the first twelvemonth after planting .
Temperature and Humidity
Spruce tree grow best in cool region — they ca n’t tolerate spicy , humid climates .
During cold atmospheric condition , foreclose winter burn by giving your spruce plenty of water in the fall ( especially if you do n’t get much pelting ) so the theme can soak in the wet before the solid ground freeze down . Also , distribute two to four in ofmulcharound it , start three inches from the trunk and conk out out to the ends of the branch . The mulch helps hold weewee in the ground longer , and it evens out the cold soil temperature .
Fertilization
Abalanced , slow - spill plant food , applied in the spring , will give spruce a boost . For the applications programme mental process and the amount to expend , follow product label instructions cautiously to avoid fertilizer burn ; weewee well after give . you may also top - clothes around the solution geographical zone with compost .
Pruning
Spruce trees do n’t requirepruningexcept to garnish off dead or discredited arm . If you desire to increase leaf density , prune off half of the outgrowth steer ( candles ) in the spring .
Potting and Repotting Spruce
If you desire to plant a spruce in a container ( for a patio seclusion fence , perhaps ? ) , pick out a dwarf variety with a wearisome growth pace . select a expectant container because these trees begrudge transplanting . Use an all - purpose potting mixing and choose a Mary Jane with good drainage . A profound material such as terra - cotta will assist prevent toppling but , in any effect , site your potted plant out from strong winds to foreclose dry . Keep in judgment that pot plant , unlike plant in the landscape , require more frequent watering and fecundation .
Despite their hardiness in area with cold wintertime , when grown in pots , spruce trees are exposed to the coldness . As a protective bill , winterise the pot by sinking the container into the ground or localize the container in a second , larger good deal to create a planting silo that will insulate the root from the cold . you may also move potted plant into an unheated shed or service department for the wintertime but do n’t forget to irrigate it periodically .
Pests and Problems
If your spruce hasyellow dapple or chocolate-brown needlesat its base or near the automobile trunk , spruce spider hint are most potential the culprit . They in the main assault in spring or fall . But if you also see scarlet on the trees , beneficial insect are already eat up the spruce spider mites , and you could let them get on with their cleanup position work . If the good insect are not on the Book of Job , suffocate the mites by spraying the entire tree with horticultural oil .
Common across all types of spruces , but most rife on Colorado type , spruce decline is broadly characterized by branch die back over a period of two to four years . Often visible on the scummy branches first , needles fall off and the plant takes on a slender appearing . By yr three and four most of the low braches are dead . These symptom have a legion of insect and disease causes . A professional arborist or tree upkeep company can diagnosis the specific cause and prescribe treatment . Not all spruce species decline , though . Many pests and disease can be successfully treated .
The honest way to prevent spruce decline is to plant trees on site with conditions they favor . Full sun is of the essence . estimable air circulation and excellent land drainage is significant , too .
How to Propagate Spruce
To circularise spruce , take radical cut in late summer or early fall . Fill spate with a part peat or coir and part guts variety . Moisten the mass medium exhaustively . Cut 4- to 5 - column inch shoot at an slant from healthy fore . Remove thepine needlesfrom the down in the mouth two - thirds of each cutting . Dip the cut final stage in root endocrine and locate the press clipping into the planting medium . Firm the potpourri around the base and place in a coolheaded , humid indoor spot with indirect sparkle . Keep the potting medium moist and mist over the cutting on a regular basis . It may take two to four calendar month for the cutting to root . When it has ( and conditions has warm up in spring ) , move the slew outdoors to step by step harden off before planting it in the landscape .
Types of Spruce
Dwarf Alberta Spruce
Because of its pocket-sized sizing and Christmas - Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe , the nanus Alberta spruce ( Picea glauca’Conica ' ) is afavorite evergreen plant across many part of the country . This cunning little tree save its conical frame as it grow slowly ( very easy ) , necessitate 30 years to max out at 10 to 12 foot improbable . chiliad of short green needles give it an almost blurry or fluffy appearance . Zones 3 - 5
Colorado Blue Spruce
Colorado drab spruce ( Picea pungens ) offer sharp , short needles in a reach of argent blue hues . A formal tree in the landscape painting , if grows lento up to 60 pes tall . Give it elbow room to spread out since its offset can stretch to 20 feet wide . Like most spruce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , it postulate unconstipated tearing to get establish , full Dominicus , and an yearly fecundation with compost . zone 3 - 8
Norway Spruce
The Norway spruce ( Picea abies)is a favorite Christmas tree variety . In the landscape painting , this faithfully pyramidic evergreen plant grow chop-chop at up to three foot a year and will reach 60 to 100 feet tall . Its dense foliage urinate a great shelterbelt and offers protection for many species of birds . Zones 2 - 7
Garden Plans For Spruce
Corner Garden
This nook garden plan have several shrubs and trees that look beautiful through all four season . For example , the ' Pink Spires’crabapple treesflaunt rose-cheeked pink flowers in natural spring , keep an eye on by petite decorative fruits in gloam that last into wintertime . And while the trio of dwarf cornel produce small white blossoms , these thick shrubs are perhaps most beloved for the fiery colour their undimmed red stem lend to awinter garden . in effect of all , this garden requires very littlepruningor other maintenance to flourish , other than maintain the plant well - water during their first twelvemonth .
Property Line Garden Plan
Situate the mildly wind garden laid out in this architectural plan along the edge of your yard to create a cosy tone of envelopment , or if you already have afenceor wall , engraft it in front of the anatomical structure to mince the expression .
As long as you select a location with full sun for the perennial and woody industrial plant in this design , they ’ll boom without much care other than periodic watering . From summer into nightfall , you ’ll enjoy blossoms in soft shades of reddish blue - sorry and white-livered , thanks to perennial like catmint , coreopsis , and yarrow , while the silver - down in the mouth and shining chartreuse - gold foliage of evergreen grim spruce and juniper draw the eye upward .
Frequently Asked Questions
The elemental difference between these two types of evergreens is the way their needles are arranged on branches . In pines , the acerate leaf are attached in clusters . In spruce tree , each needle bind to a ramification individually .
These evergreens are favored for their pyramidal shape , attractive coloring material , uncoiled trunks , attractive barque , and the even horizontal arrangement of their arm .
Full - sizing spruce tree should be sited at least 25 foot away from a house . Dwarf species may be found closer in instauration bed as they mature much more slowly and continue little , top out at about 12 feet tall and stretching 3 feet wide after 25 years .
