How much sun does a blue spruce need?
It was a perfect fit for the area, so we'd like to replace that with the Blue spruce. It gets mostly shade, approximately 6 hours per day, especially in the summer when nearby trees have their leaves. The farmer said Blue spruce needs full sun, so that would not be an ideal location.
How to grow a spruce tree?
Ø Sunlight: The Spruce tree needs good sunlight. It is shade tolerant. But it grows well in full sunlight. Ø Soil: The soil should not be dry, but at the same time, it should be well-drained. Waterlogging will make the roots and the Spruce tree sick. Acidic soil is the best, but it grows fine in neutral pH soil also.
Do blue spruce trees lose color in the shade?
In the shade, Blue spruces do not lose color, but the branching habit will tend to be lighter, more airy. And the tree may have a taller, thinner growth habit. I actually like to work with these better. Below are pictured some 15 year old blue spruce that only receive 3 hours of direct sun per day.
Is a dwarf spruce tree good for a garden?
They are an excellent choice for providing texture in the garden, as well as color that can range from golden-yellow to blue. Although some spruce varieties grow too tall for most gardens, there are a number of dwarf types that make an attractive addition to any landscape.
Can spruce trees grow in shade?
Growing white spruce is easy and safe, as long as the climate is accurate. While it stands tough against the harsh winter conditions, it prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and is also tolerant of shade.
How much sun does a spruce tree need?
six hoursFull sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
Will spruce grow in partial shade?
It prefers full sun, but will grow well in partial shade too. When you plant a Blue Wonder spruce, find a space that will work for it considering that it grows slowly and compactly, maintaining its conical shape. Water your new spruce regularly during its first growing season to help it establish a good root system.
Where does spruce grow best?
Most forms are hardy in zone 3 and they will grow all the way through zone 7, and even in zone 8 in the north-west, so they are a good choice for most gardens. This tree is not particularly drought resistant, and it's not a good choice if you have dry soil and hot, dry summers.
Do spruce trees need a lot of water?
Most varieties of spruce trees have a medium to high need for moisture. Spruce trees do not tolerate drought conditions so proper watering is imperative to their health.
Do spruce trees grow fast?
Growth Rate This tree grows at a medium to fast rate, with height increases of anywhere from 13" to more than 24" per year.
What's the difference between white spruce and blue spruce?
Blue spruce trees have needles that are more blue than green, and their needles are shorter but are extremely stiff and sharp. White spruces have needles that are more green than blue, with long needles that are more flexible and soft.
Can blue spruce grow in full shade?
Blue spruce prefer an organic, moist soil in full sun but are adaptable to different conditions. It is more drought tolerant than other Picea species. While blue spruce can tolerate some shade, disease incidence and severity increases with the amount of shade trees receive.
What's the fastest growing spruce tree?
The fastest-growing spruce tree, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, is the triangular-shaped Norway spruce (Picea abies), which is part of many suburban home and rural farm landscapes throughout Europe, the United States and Canada.
How long does a spruce tree take to grow?
The Colorado blue spruce grows at a slow to medium rate, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, although it picks up a bit as it gets older. This blue spruce grows from 12 to 24 inches a year. So it will require 30 to 60 years for a Colorado blue spruce to grow from seed to 60 feet tall.
How long do spruce trees live?
In the wild, the Colorado blue spruce can live 200 years or more. In the home landscape, it usually stays healthy for about 40 to 60 years, after which its health begins to fail, according to Northern State University.
How tall will a spruce tree grow?
Picea is the sole genus in the subfamily Piceoideae. Spruces are large trees, from about 20 to 60 m (about 60–200 ft) tall when mature, and have whorled branches and conical form.
Can blue spruce grow in full shade?
Blue spruce prefer an organic, moist soil in full sun but are adaptable to different conditions. It is more drought tolerant than other Picea species. While blue spruce can tolerate some shade, disease incidence and severity increases with the amount of shade trees receive.
How much sun does a Colorado blue spruce need?
six hoursLight. Plant Colorado blue spruce trees in full sun, ensuring they get at least six hours of unfiltered sun per day to reach their full growth potential.
Will Hosta grow under spruce trees?
Depending on how large the tree is and how close you're planting you can try several things. I have had excellent success growing hostas under and near spruce. The trick is to find a niche between the roots and then dig down, removing the soil and replacing it with a rich soil or compost mix.
Can dwarf blue spruce grow in shade?
A dwarf Alberta spruce grows best in full sun and well-drained acidic soil. It will tolerate some light shade but performs best in a spot with good air circulation; its dense foliage can trap moisture.
Will blue spruce grow in part shade?
Blue Wonder spruce care is not difficult. This is a tree that will tolerate road salt and poor soil. It prefers full sun, but will grow well in partial shade too.
Will spruce trees grow in shade?
In optimal conditions, it can live for upwards of 700 years. It will tolerate moderate shade, although it will not reach its full height or diameter without at least some sun. It is extremely popular as an ornamental tree due to its attractive color and shape, and is often used in small stands as a wind break.
Is spruce shade tolerant?
Growing white spruce is easy and safe, as long as the climate is accurate. While it stands tough against the harsh winter conditions, it prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and is also tolerant of shade.
Do spruce trees like sun or shade?
These trees are usually grown as Christmas Trees, especially the Blue Spruce and Norway Spruce varieties. They require full to partial sun in order to thrive.
How quickly do spruce trees grow?
Growth Rate This tree grows at a medium to fast rate , with height increases of anywhere from 13″ to more than 24″ per year.
Can white spruce tolerate shade?
White Spruce can tolerate some shade, but this significantly reduces growth and density. For best results in a landscape setting, site this evergreen where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Frost heaving and spring frost damage are more common on smaller trees.
Do blue spruce trees need full sun?
Light. Plant Colorado blue spruce trees in full sun, ensuring they get at least six hours of unfiltered sun per day to reach their full growth potential.
How much sun does a blue spruce tree need?
It gets mostly shade, approximately 6 hours per day, especially in the summer when nearby trees have their leaves. The farmer said Blue spruce needs full sun, so that would not be an ideal location.
How fast does a spruce tree grow?
Under a dripline, and in dense rooted ground, a spruce will grow much slower (sometimes less than 6" a year), and will perhaps not have the pencil straight trunk that is easy to achieve in full sun. Fertilizing can help with that.
How do I care for a spruce tree?
It grows slowly, but you feel that it does grow. I heard that it doesn't like artificial fertilizers - basically you need only to water them during first few years, and infrequent but generous watering is the best. Pruning is best avoided altogether - only if you want to have denser crown, you need to pinch leader and main branches from time to time. And the rule is: do not remove lowest branches - the crown of this tree looks the best if it starts at the ground level.
Why don't spruces extend?
Contrary of most deciduous plants, spruces don't tend to extend in order to find more light (thu s giving a skinny form).
Do blue spruces lose color?
In the shade, Blue spruces do not lose color, but the branching habit will tend to be lighter, more airy. And the tree may have a taller, thinner growth habit. I actually like to work with these better. Below are pictured some 15 year old blue spruce that only receive 3 hours of direct sun per day. They do, however, recieve dappled sun for some of the day as well, and the shade is light.
Do conifers like shade?
In the shade conifers do not do well. The only conifer that loves shade, does well in shade is the Yew. Conifers in the shade are stressed and regularly get the adelgid aphid and wooly aphid and it wreaks havoc. In the sun, Blue Colorado Spruce can get to 100 feet by 50 feet. In the shade it is even more susceptible to insect and disease. Looks so cute that contractors plant them next to the foundation routinely. Only to have to be cut down. Englemann spruce is very similar. In fact, most colorado blue spruce IS GREEN very similar to Englemann Spruce.
Is blue spruce a spruce?
I prefer Fraser Fir. Loves high altitude and might not make it where ever you live. I've planted quite a few in lower elevations with proper watering instructions, raised out of the clay...and they did well. Tell the truth I don't remember ever planting Blue Colorado Spruce. Only Englemann. And only in proper environments. Too swamped with problems. Call backs make someone who lives off happy clients and successful plants very nervous. So I got to teach clients how to make both of us successful and happy.
Sunlight requirements
Blue spruce needs 6 hours of direct sun per day, this is a general recommendation. But in zone 7 or even zone 6 the sun is more intense so 4-5 hours may be enough here.
Too much sun
Despite the fact that Blue Spruce can tolerate full sun, there are situations in which there may be too much sun.
Not enough sun
If Blue Spruce does not get enough direct sunlight, its growth rate will be slower. Also, the crown will be looser, i.e. the number of branches will be less. In addition, the color of the needles will not be as bright as in the sun.
How much sunlight do spruce trees need?
Site it carefully to take advantage of the sun. Your tree will thrive with six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. Once planted, you can stake the sapling up with two or three short stakes for the first year or so. This is especially helpful if you’ve planted your tree in a windy site.
What kind of soil do white spruce trees need?
To thrive, this tree needs a well-draining soil that is fertile and slightly acidic. Soil should also be kept evenly moist. When grown in infertile soil, the tree will have much slower growth. White Spruce trees have a good tolerance of drought, but again, when grown in dry soils, they will grow much more slowly.
What bugs are on spruce trees?
Insects that bother spruce trees include the cooley spruce gall adelgid, the Easter spruce gall adelgid, and the spruce spider mite. Adelgids are relatives of aphids and can cause branch die-off and eventually the death of the tree. To control adelgids, spray your spruce with an insecticide in the spring and fall.
How tall is a Norway spruce tree?
The tallest Norway Spruce measured in at over 200 feet, but these trees rarely grow to be more than 130 feet. There are many cultivars that have a much smaller height expectancy and are well suited to growing in home gardens, such as the ‘Gold Drift,’ which typically reaches heights of between 12 and 15 feet.
How big can a spruce tree grow?
Since spruce trees vary in size depending on the variety (blue spruce, for example, can reach 60 feet), check the tag on your sapling and follow recommendations for spacing if you are planting more than one. Spruce trees like sunny locations with well-draining, loamy soil.
What is the color of Norway spruce?
The seed cones of Norway spruce trees are quite spectacular and are known to be the largest of any spruce tree, measuring between three and six inches long. The cones are pale brown when mature at around six months of age, but when they first appear on the tree, they are usually a shade of green or red. The ‘Acrocona’ is known for its ornamental seed cones, which are a deep raspberry red color when they emerge on the tips of branches in spring.
How big are acorn trees?
These are truly magnificent trees, with trunks that can span as much as 16 feet in diameter. When young, these trees have a broadly conical shape, but they become more cylindrical with age. They have stiff, sharp, flattened foliage in a needle-like form. The foliage is blue-green, and each needle can measure up to an inch long. The cones of this tree are long and slender, measuring up to four inches in length. They are red or green when they first emerge, hanging from the tree in a pendulus manner. As they mature and undergo pollination, the cones will fade to pale gray-brown. In their native habitat, these trees grow in wet conditions and so perform well in soggy soils, but they also have good adaptability in a range of soil types.
Where are spruce trees found?
Spruce is any of the large, coniferous tree species belonging to the genus Picea of the family Pinaceae, distributed across the temperate and boreal regions in the Northern Hemisphere. These trees can be identified by the four-sided needles and the cones that hang downwards after pollination.
When do spruce needles fall off?
Spruce needles fall off when the tree is 4-10 years old. However, the peg-like structures (called sterigmata or pulvini) on the branches are retained, making them rough.
What is the source of vitamin C in spruce?
As pulpwood for making paper, building wood, tonewood for mandolins, guitars, violins, pianos, and cellos, ornamental Christmas trees; shoots are the source of vitamin C, for making spruce beer from branches and leaves. IUCN Conservation Status.
How many species are there in the Picea genus?
The Picea genus includes thirty-five extant species, out of which the Brewer’s spruce has a basal position, after that come the Sitka spruce, and then the other species. All these species are classified into three clades, as given below.
How much sun does a plant need?
For a planting area to be considered a full sun location, on most days the area must receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight mostly between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
What is the sun requirement for a plant?
Sunlight requirements for many plants will include terms like "Full Sun to Partial Shade" or "Partial Shade to Full Shade.". 1 This indicates that the plant will do fairly well in a range of sunlight exposures, which gives you more flexibility in determining where you can plant it.
How to measure the amount of sunlight a plant receives?
The best way to measure average sunlight exposure is to simply observe your planting area every 30 minutes or so throughout the daylight hours over a week or two. Use those observations to determine the average amount of time the area spends bathed in sunlight, dappled sunlight, or shade. When you have determined the average amount of sunlight an area receives, it is easy enough to choose plants that match the conditions of the site, as noted on the plant labels.
What plants can be planted in the afternoon shade?
Plants for partial shade include impatiens, crossandra, the yesterday-today-and-tomorrow plant, and most begonias.
How many hours of sun exposure is considered partial sun?
The terms partial (or part) sun and partial (or part) shade are often used interchangeably to mean four to six hours of sun exposure each day, preferably in the cooler hours of the morning. However, there is a subtle difference:
When is the best time to measure the amount of sunlight in your yard?
No matter how good a gardener you are, the tendency is to grossly overestimate how much and what kind of#N#sun an area receives. In North America, the best months to assess sunlight amounts are May through July when deciduous trees have leafed out and the angle of the sun is high in the sky.
Why is my plant not growing in the right spot?
If the foliage is scorched or burned or if the flowers are lanky and leaning in search of sunlight, the plant is probably not in an ideal spot. Don't be afraid to dig and move plants in your garden if you think they are not planted in the right location. Most species can be successfully transplanted.
What is a blue spruce tree?
Back to Top. Colorado blue spruces, resplendent with silver-blue-green needles, are coniferous evergreen trees that are members of the pine family. The official state tree of Colorado, these spruces are native to Rocky Mountain states in the U.S.
When was the Colorado Blue Spruce tree discovered?
They were first discovered in 1862 growing on the Rocky Mountains, but are now one of the most widely planted landscape trees. The Colorado Blue Spruce's silvery-blue needles are prickly to the touch and have a strong, fresh, piney smell. Its pyramidal shape, foliage color, and wonderful smell make this plant a classic choice for a Christmas tree.
How tall do Colorado blue spruces grow?
Colorado blue spruces have a slow to medium growth rate. You can expect a height increase of less than 12 inches to 24 inches annually. In the wild, it can grow up to 75 feet. In parks and gardens, it typically grows 30 to 60 feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide.
What type of soil do sage trees like?
However, the trees can adapt to a variety of soils, whether acidic, loamy, sandy, or clay. When it comes to soil pH, these trees prefer a range between 6.0 and 7.5, but they're able to tolerate extremely acidic or alkaline soils.
Where are blue spruces native to?
The official state tree of Colorado, these spruces are native to Rocky Mountain states in the U.S. They were first discovered in 1862 growing on the Rocky Mountains, but are now one of the most widely planted landscape trees.
Can a Colorado blue spruce survive in hot weather?
The Colorado blue spruce is tolerant of cold weather. It can tolerate heat to a point. However, it will not thrive in extremely hot and humid weather conditions.
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How long does it take for a blue spruce tree to germinate?
These cones drop their seeds in spring. Blue spruce seeds require a considerable period of light to germinate: 14 to 16 hours per day. If the length of light falls below 12 hours a day, they become dormant.
What is a Colorado blue spruce?
Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is a beautiful native American conifer. This extremely rustic silvery blue tree reaches the height of 9 – 21 m (30-70 ft) in its region of origin. Nice bluish green color, accentuated by the sharply pointed foliage makes it a perfect conifer for open landscapes and large backyards. Dwarf forms of blue spruce are also available that reaches only between 1.5 to 4.5 m (5-15 ft) tall and are suitable for small gardens, patios, and terraces.
What causes needle cast on blue spruce?
Use a magnifying glass to examine the needles of your blue spruce for signs of Rhizosphaera needle cast (Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii), a fungus that causes needle cast disease . It pushes through the stomata of the affected needles and looks like fuzzy black spots.
How to keep conifers from weeding?
Planting area around this magnificent conifer should be kept clean and weed free, especially when the plant is not well established. A good thick cedar mulch or of other organic matter is sufficient to prevent annual weeds.
Minimal Sunlight Species for Every Zone
Finding a tree to grow in full shade can be a bit tricky. Most plants crave as much sun as they can get during the day so that their leaves can perform photosynthesis.
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
The American beech is, as the name suggests, one source for beech nuts which are favored by wildlife and can be eaten by humans. This understory tree shows silky, oval pale green leaves that darken in summer and turn yellow-brown in autumn. The American beech thrives in full shade in dense, complex forests.
American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
The wood of the American hornbeam is quite strong, inspiring the common name of ironwood. Hornbeam also refers to the wood's strength since "beam" is a name for a tree in the Old English language. This tree features a fluted, gray trunk with green catkins appearing in spring.
Big-Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)
The big-leaf maple is appropriately named. Each leaf can grow up to two feet long, deeply lobed, and dark green turning to yellow and orange-yellow in autumn. This maple thrives in dark and dense areas as well as sunny areas. They can be big drinkers, so areas with lots of rain are ideal.
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Few evergreen trees can tolerate shade. Eastern hemlock is a great species able to handle lower light during the day. This tree may show several trunks with gray shoots of two-ranked dark green leaves that show silver lines beneath. Branches are similar to those of the spruce genus.
American Hop-Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
The hop-hornbeam is a cousin of the true hornbeams ( Carpinus) and the name hop refers to the fact that the fruit is similar in look to the flowers on hops vines ( Humulus lupulus ,) used in the production of beer. This deciduous conical-shaped tree features dark brown bark with deep green leaves turning yellow in autumn.
Common Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)
The common hoptree is a small deciduous tree that can fit into most gardens. The flowers are sweet-smelling although an unpleasant odor arises if the foliage or bark is damaged resulting in the common name stinking ash.
