What is the growth rate of a Colorado blue spruce?
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.
How fast does a blue spruce grow?
How Fast Does A Blue Spruce Grow?
- Depends on the location
- Trees in full sun will grow faster
- Expert 12-24″ per year
How tall is a dwarf blue spruce?
Slowly growing; reaches 3 to 5 ft. tall, 5 to 6 ft. wide. Conifer; prized for foliage. How big does a dwarf globe blue spruce get? ‘Glauca Globosa’ is a dwarf, globe-shaped, blue-needled, evergreen shrub with a flattened top that will slowly grow over time to 3-5′ tall and to 4-6′ wide. It is typically sold as a grafted plant.
How big does a columar blue spruce get?
The colorado blue spruce can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 2–7. View Map The Colorado blue spruce grows to a height of 50–75' and a spread of 10–20' at maturity. This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.
How fast do blue spruce trees grow?
12" to 24" per yearGrowth 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 space does a blue spruce need?
Start your spacing at 16 feet apart to accomodate a mature spread of 15-20 feet. If you plant in rows, space your rows atleast 20 feet apart.
Where is the best place to plant a blue spruce?
sunny locationColorado 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.
How tall is a 5 year old blue spruce?
A 2ft tall-potted tree can be 5 ft tall in 5 years, in good soil, with adequate moisture, and weed and grass control around the base.
How far should a blue spruce be planted from house?
20-25' awayI 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 far from a fence should you plant a blue spruce?
How far from a fence or septic tank should you plant Blue spruce? You must plant Blue Spruce as far as 20 feet from both the fence and the septic tank. In the case of a fence, the spruce needs enough space to grow and get plenty of sunlight.
What is the best time of year to plant a blue spruce?
Spring and fall are the best times to plant the Baby Blue Spruce. This blue spruce grows in full sun to part shade. It adapts well to any well-drained soil. Water your newly planted evergreen tree thoroughly a couple times per week for the first two to three months.
How do you make a blue spruce bluer?
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.)
How long do blue spruce trees live?
600 yearsGrowth 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).
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 far do blue spruce roots spread?
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.
What is the difference between Colorado blue spruce and baby blue spruce?
Baby Blue is a more slender version of the Colorado Blue Spruce. It is grown from seed, not grafted like Baby Blue Eyes, thus, specimens will vary slightly in habit. This tree will, however, be consistent in its vibrant blue color.
How far do blue spruce roots spread?
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 far apart should you plant spruce?
PLANTING ARRANGEMENT Allow a minimum of 2.4 m (8 ft) between rows. If you do not like the appearance of rows, and are not concerned about access between trees, give your plantation a more natural appearance by planting your trees in a random pattern, keeping the same general spaces between the trees.
How do you keep a blue spruce small?
Typical Blue spruce trees grow 12 inches or less per year. To keep your blue spruce tree small, you'll want to prune the tree each year during the late winter/early spring. You can also choose a small blue spruce variety, like the baby blue eyes spruce, which grows 2-3 inches per year.
How far apart should you plant a spruce tree?
For instance, cedars and junipers need 6 to 8 feet between them, while pines and spruces need 10 to 12 feet of spacing. Before you plant, measure the space and mark the planting sites with stakes, then tie a string between them to ensure you have a straight row.
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.
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 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 tall is a blue spruce tree?
The tree is a native of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and grows to a mature height of more than 80 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 1 to 2 feet.
What is a blue spruce?
Blue spruce or Colorado blue spruce is a tree variety from the group.
What is the pest that eats spruce trees?
Blue spruce is susceptible to damage from a number of pests. These include the spruce seed chalcid (Megastigmus piceae), the larvae of the spruce seed moth (Laspeyresia youngana) and the cone-boring pest called cone cochylid (Henricus fuscodorsana). The needle-eating larvae of the western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis) often strike trees during late April. Uncontrolled, heavy infestations are likely to kill the tree.
How big are blue spruce cones?
The cones are composed of papery scales and range in length from 2 1/2 to 4 inches. The dense textured branches start to grow very low on the trunk covered with ash-brown colored, flaky bark. Blue spruce tree roots are spreading and shallow.
What is the best soil for a blue spruce tree?
In its native habitat, the tree grows on stream banks and moist areas at elevations of 6,000 to 11,000 feet. Preferred soil is loam with a pH between 6.0 to 7.5.
What is a spruce tree?
are evergreen trees and shrubs from the pine family and come in a wide range of sizes, including dwarf cultivars. Spruce trees are well-adapted to nearly all climatic zones depending on cultivar and most of them produce cones.
Can you plant a blue spruce tree in wet soil?
Do not plant in overly wet ground or in sites that are likely to flood. The blue spruce tree gets its name from its blue-green to silvery blue color. The dense textured branches start to grow very low on the trunk covered with ash-brown colored, flaky bark.
Where does the blue spruce tree grow?
The blue spruce ( Picea pungens ), also commonly known as green spruce, white spruce, Colorado spruce, or Colorado blue spruce, is a species of spruce tree. It is native to North America, and is found in USDA growing zones 1 through 7. Its natural range extends from northern New Mexico through Colorado and Utah to Wyoming and into Alberta ...
How deep do blue spruce roots grow?
Blue spruce seedlings are shallow roots that penetrate only 6.4 cm (2.5 inches) of soil during the first year. Although freezing can't damage much in blue spruce, frost will cause seedling loss. Shadows in late spring and early autumn minimize this frost heaving loss.
How tall is Picea Pungens?
Description. In the wild, Picea pungens grows to about 23 m (75 ft), but when planted in parks and gardens it seldom exceeds 15 m (49 ft) tall by 5 m (16 ft) wide. It is a columnar or conical evergreen conifer with densely growing horizontal branches. It has scaly grey bark on the trunk with yellowish-brown branches.
Why are my blue spruce needles turning yellow?
The blue spruce is susceptible to several needle casting diseases which cause the needles to turn yellow, mottled or brown before they fall off. Various rust diseases also affect the tree causing yellowing of the needles as well as needle fall.
What is the average temperature of blue spruce in Colorado?
Blue spruce is most common in Colorado and the Southwest. The annual average temperature ranges from 3.9 to 6.1 degrees C (39 to 43 degrees F). And ranges from - 3.9 to - 2.8 degrees C (25 to 27 degrees F) in January. In July, the average temperature ranges from 13.9 to 15.0 degrees C (57 to 59 degrees F).
What insect is under the bark of a tree?
Another insect pest is the spruce beetle ( Dendroctonus rufipennis) which bores under the bark. It often first attacks trees which have blown over by the wind and when the larvae mature two years afterwards, a major outbreak occurs and vast numbers of beetles attack nearby standing trees.
What causes galls on blue spruce?
Pests and diseases. The blue spruce is attacked by two species of Adelges, an aphid-like insect that causes galls to form. Nymphs of the pineapple gall adelgid form galls at the base of twigs which resemble miniature pineapples and those of the Cooley's spruce gall adelgid cause cone-shaped galls at the tips of branches.
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.
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.
How tall does P. pungens grow?
P. pungens 'Montgomery': A dwarf variety that grows 5 to 6 feet high and has dense, blue needles
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.
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.
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.
How tall is a blue spruce tree?
In the wild, however, the tree may grow as to a blue spruce height of 100 feet or more. Its narrow width makes the tree pyramidal or columnar in shape, and its structured horizontal branches follow that shape all the way to the ground, according to the University of Florida Extension.
How big does a Colorado blue spruce get?
Under the best circumstances in the garden, you can expect it to hit about 65 feet, with a width of 10 to 20 feet.
What is the Blue Spruce?
The Colorado blue spruce is a needled evergreen in the Pinaceae family. Its foliage, contrary to its name, is often gray-green or green in color, though it can also be bright blue or silver blue. Native to the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado blue spruce grows best when provided with a cool, moist setting similar to its native climate.
How long does it take for a Colorado blue spruce to grow?
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 fast does a Colorado blue spruce tree grow?
Its growth rate is moderate to quick, so some trees may grow a scant 12 inches a year while others may grow upward of 24 inches in a single growing season.
How tall does a sage tree grow?
In the wild, it usually grows at elevation, between 6,000 and 11,000 feet.
How big does a fat Albert tree grow?
If you want a smaller tree, go for one of the more compact cultivars, such as 'Fat Albert' (Picea pungens), which only grows to 10 or 15 feet, according to Missouri Botanical Garden. For best growth, provide rich soil and full sun.
What zone do blue spruce trees grow in?
The colorado blue spruce can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 2–7. View Map
How big does a sage tree get?
Rated one of the most popular evergreens. It grows well while young and matures at 50-75'; 10-'20' spread in the landscape, up to 135' and 35' spread in the wild. (zones 2-7) price Pricing Information.
What is the state tree of Colorado?
The Colorado blue spruce is such a delight that nature seems to have kept it a well-guarded secret for a very long time. It was not until 1862 that this spectacular species was discovered growing in enchanted meadows and stream sides high up in the Rocky Mountains. Once found, the fame of this blue spruce spread quickly, and today it is one of our most widely planted landscape trees as well as the state tree of Colorado. When writing Handbook on Conifers in 1969, Henry Tuescher, curator emeritus of the Montreal Botanical Garden, called the Colorado blue spruce one of the five finest conifers. Tuescher gave no reasons for this honor except for the tree's exceptional beauty.
How much sun does a sage tree need?
Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
Is a blue spruce a state tree?
Once found, the fame of this blue spruce spread quickly, and today it is one of our most widely planted landscape trees as well as the state tree of Colorado. When writing Handbook on Conifers in 1969, Henry Tuescher, curator emeritus of the Montreal Botanical Garden, called the Colorado blue spruce one of the five finest conifers.
What is a dwarf blue spruce?
Dwarf Blue Spruce: A Superb Year-Round Garden Plant. Dwarf Blue Spruce makes a great focal point in the garden, as a foundation planting, or even as a specimen in a mixed border. By Ed Moran. Reiman Gardens.
What is the best soil for dwarf blue spruce?
It prefers a well-drained to dry soil due to the high elevation of its native habit in the western United States but can easily adjust to most soil types.
What is the most common conifer?
One of the most common cultivars is the dwarf blue spruce ( Picea pungens 'Globosa'). This attractive, slow-growing conifer has many attributes that make it an outstanding addition to any landscape or garden.
How fast does a Picea pungens grow?
The growth rate of Picea pungens 'Globosa' is quite slow, averaging only 1 to 6 inches per year (3 to 6 feet in 10 years) classifying this conifer as a dwarf. Maintenance of dwarf blue spruce is minimal.
When was Colorado spruce introduced?
Since its introduction in 1862 , the Colorado spruce has become a landscape staple across much of the United States. Its numerous cultivars provide gardeners with almost any desired growth habit, which make it a versatile planting option for year-round interest.
Is dwarf blue spruce a good plant?
Dwarf blue spruce is quite versatile in the landscape. It makes a great focal point in the garden, as a foundation planting, or even as a specimen in a mixed border. Additionally, if grown as a standard, a matching pair can create a year-round formal addition to a home's entryway.
Why is Blue Wonder Spruce so special?
Blue Wonder Spruce Info. The Blue Wonder cultivar of spruce is special in many ways, but mostly because its color persists. Other types of blue spruce will also produce the striking bluish-gray needles, but the color tends to revert back to green as they grow. Blue Wonder was developed to maintain that special color as the tree ages.
How tall is Blue Wonder?
Blue Wonder is a cultivar of Picea glauca, a dwarf spruce that grows slowly and tops out around six feet (2 meters) tall. It is known for its color but also the shape, which is nearly a perfect cone, even without trimming.
What is the best tree to plant in a formal garden?
Blue Wonder spruce trees are great additions to formal gardens, but they also make striking container plants, and can be used to anchor a trimmed hedge. These small, conical-shaped evergreens are prized for their shape and for the beautiful, blue-gray color of their needles.
Can blue wonder spruce be grown in partial 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. 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.
Overview
Description
In the wild, Picea pungens grows to about 23 m (75 ft), but when planted in parks and gardens it seldom exceeds 15 m (49 ft) tall by 5 m (16 ft) wide. The tree can grow larger if the tip is cut when it is at least 3 years old. It is a columnar or conical evergreen conifer with densely growing horizontal branches. It has scaly grey bark on the trunk with yellowish-brown branches.
Waxy gray-green leaves, up to 3 cm (1 in) long, are arranged radially on the shoots which curve …
Cultivation
Picea pungens and its many cultivars are often grown as ornamental trees in gardens and parks. It is also grown for the Christmas tree industry.
The blue spruce is attacked by two species of Adelges, an aphid-like insect that causes galls to form. Nymphs of the pineapple gall adelgid form galls at the base of twigs which resemble miniature pineapples and those of the Cooley's spruc…
Rooting habits
Blue spruce seedlings are shallow roots that penetrate only 6.4 cm (2.5 inches) of soil during the first year. Although freezing can't damage much in blue spruce, frost will cause seedling loss. Shadows in late spring and early autumn minimize this frost heaving loss. Despite the shallow roots, blue spruce is able to resist strong winds. Five years before transplanting, the total root surface area of 2-meter-high trees was doubled by pruning the roots of blue spruce. It also incre…
Cultivars
Common cultivars (those marked agm have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit):
• 'Glauca Globosa' agm – shrub from 3–5 feet (0.91–1.52 m) in height
• 'Fat Albert' – compact perfect cone to 10 feet (3.0 m) of a silver blue color
Uses
The Navajo and Keres Native Americans use this tree as a traditional medicinal plant and a ceremonial item, and twigs are given as gifts to bring good fortune. In traditional medicine, an infusion of the needles is used to treat colds and settle the stomach. This liquid is also used externally for rheumatic pains. Early people used their wood for building.
Distributed soil types and topography
Blue spruce generally exists on gentle uplands and sub irrigated slopes, in well-watered tributary drainage, extending down intermittent streams, and on lower northerly slopes.
Blue spruce always grow naturally in the soils which are in the order Mollisols, and the soil will also be in the orders histosols and inceptisols in a lesser extent.
Blue spruce is considered as a pioneer tree species in moist soil in Utah.
Climate
Blue spruce usually grows in cool and humid climatic zones where the annual precipitation mainly occurs in the summer.
Blue spruce is most common in Colorado and the Southwest. The annual average temperature ranges from 3.9 to 6.1 degrees C (39 to 43 degrees F). And ranges from - 3.9 to - 2.8 degrees C (25 to 27 degrees F) in January. In July, the average temperature ranges from 13.9 to 15.0 degr…