Full Answer
How big does a conica spruce get?
This tree typically grows 60-80' tall (less frequently to 140' tall) with a cone-shaped crown. It diminishes in size to low, shrubby forms near tree line in northern Canada. Blue-green needles (to 3/4") on small woody pegs have sharp tips.
What kind of tree is a conica?
albertiana 'Conica' (White Spruce) is a dense, cone-shaped, dwarf evergreen conifer with perfectly uniform branching. Emerging light green, its fine needles turn to blue-green as they mature. A slow grower, 4 in.
How tall does a dwarf Alberta spruce conica get?
The dwarf Alberta spruce is an evergreen conifer with a classic pyramidal Christmas tree shape that rarely exceeds 13 feet.
How fast does a dwarf Alberta spruce conica grow?
2 to 4 inches a yearDwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica') has a shape like a miniature Christmas tree. Bright green needles demand little care to look their best, and a slow growth rate makes this spruce a go-to evergreen for containers. Dwarf Alberta spruce grows just 2 to 4 inches a year.
How do you care for a conica spruce plant?
Dwarf Alberta Spruce 'Conica' (Picea glauca)Plant Feed. Apply a balanced fertilizer formulated for acid loving plants.Watering. Water regularly until established.Soil. Well-drained, slightly acidic soil.Basic Care Summary. When planting, keep the base of the trunk exposed. Plant in a reliably sunny spot.
Why is my dwarf spruce turning brown?
A dwarf Alberta spruce that's turning brown at the top is telling you there's a problem with the trunk or the roots. Check to see if weed whackers have sliced the trunk, or animals have chewed the bark. If most of the bark is gone from the base of the trunk, the tree will have to be replaced.
Does Alberta spruce need full sun?
Dwarf Alberta spruces will grow in full sun to partial shade. Plant it in well-drained, consistently moist soil. If planted in a container, water when the top 3 inches of soil is dry. Once the plant is growing outside, one problem you may run into with this plant is spider mites.
How long do spruce trees live?
The tree has a mature height of around 70 to 80 feet. While blue spruce grows relatively slowly, it is long-lived and may reach ages of 600-800 years.
Do dwarf Alberta spruce drop needles?
The dwarf Alberta spruce tree (Picea glauca Conica) is a popular plant but is not without its problems. It is common for homeowners who have been enjoying the plant for a few years to notice, all of a sudden, that their tree is dropping needles (often after they have turned brown or yellow).
Can you overwater a dwarf Alberta spruce?
You can overwater Dwarf Alberta Spruce, this happens because of improper watering or very heavy rainfall. As a result, the roots become soft and root rot begins. To fix the root rot, stop watering very often and move the surface water away from the spruce.
How do you get rid of dwarf Alberta spruce?
Sprays of horticultural oils can be effective, though they also kill the beneficial mite species that help keep spruce mites under control naturally.
How deep are the roots of a dwarf Alberta spruce?
Root depth of 3-4-year-old Dwarf Alberta Spruce can reach 20 inches. It is the depth that you need to go when transplanting a plant. If you are replanting spruce in a new place, it is better to shade it for 1-2 months.
What are the cone shaped trees called?
coniferA conifer is a type of tree that produces cones and evergreen needles.
What are two types of coniferous trees?
IN THIS GUIDE Cedar. Cypress. Douglas Fir. Fir. Hemlock. Juniper. Larch. Monkey Puzzle Tree.More items...•
What is a cone bearing trees called?
Conifers are the "cone-bearing" plants, and include pine, redwood, spruce, yew, cedar, and many other familiar trees. Conifers are also economically important, being some of the most common timber and paper-pulp trees.
What is a coniferous tree?
: any of an order (Coniferales) of mostly evergreen trees and shrubs having usually needle-shaped or scalelike leaves and including forms (such as pines) with true cones and others (such as yews) with an arillate fruit.
What is a white spruce?
Incredibly popular, Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica' (White Spruce) is a dense, cone-shaped, dwarf evergreen conifer with perfectly uniform branching. Emerging light green, its fine needles turn to blue-green as they mature. A slow grower, 4 in. per year (10 cm), this Dwarf White Spruce makes a glorious accent in a mixed border ...
How big does a sage tree get?
Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 18 in. wide (45 cm) after 10 years. Will reach 10-13 ft. tall (300-400 cm) and 7-10 ft. wide (210-300 cm) after several decades.
What is the most common conifer in the nursery?
Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica,' the ubiquitous dwarf Alberta spruce, is arguably the most commonly planted conifer in the nursery trade.
How tall is Picea Glauca?
After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 4 feet (1.3 m) tall and two-thirds as wide, an annual growth rate of around 4 inches (10 cm). Alfred Rehder and J.G. Jack found the original plant in 1904, growing in the wild in the mountains above Lake Laggan, Alberta, Canada. Occasionally one sees plants tagged as Picea glauca ...
Where is Picea Glauca located?
Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica' — a group planting. This photo was taken at Bickelhaupt Arboretum located in Clinton, Iowa in the Heartland Collection of Dwarf Conifers.
What are the problems with spruce beetles?
Susceptible to needle and stem rust, canker, trunk and root rot. Yellow-headed spruce sawfly, spruce budworm and eastern spruce beetle are problems in some areas. Mites are common and repeated infestations can do serious injury to the plant. Intolerant of urban stresses (pollution, salt spray).
What does the name "Pix" mean?
Genus name is reportedly derived from the Latin word pix meaning pitch in reference to the sticky resin typically found in spruce bark. Specific epithet both are in reference to the fact that mature needles of this tree become glaucous (acquire a waxy white bloom) with age.
Where was Conica discovered?
Cones are rarely produced. Sharp pointed tip will broaden with age. 'Conica' was discovered by J. G. Jack and Alfred Rehder at Lake Laggan, Alberta, Canada, in 1904. Plants are often trimmed into topiary forms when grown in containers.
Where is Picea Glauca native to?
Picea glauca, commonly called white spruce, is an extremely hardy evergreen conifer that is native to upland areas and lake/stream margins stretching from Alaska across the boreal forest of Canada to Newfoundland, dipping south to Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and New York.
What is a dwarf spruce tree?
Dwarf Alberta spruce trees are used as specimens in landscape design. As one of the most recognizable shrub/tree types in North American landscaping, you'll often see them used in pairs to flank the entryway to a house for a formal look that strives for balance. Because dwarf Alberta spruce trees will remain relatively small for a number of years, people sometimes treat them (at least initially) as container plants. They are sometimes trimmed into topiary forms when grown in containers.
How big are Alberta spruce needles?
The aromatic green needles are about 3/4 inch long , and the tree has a tight, densely-packed growth habit that gives dwarf Alberta spruce trees a "fuzzy" look. Unlike its larger cousins, the white spruces, dwarf Alberta spruce rarely produces pine cones. Canada and northern U.S.
What is the best spruce for cold climates?
Dwarf Alberta spruce performs best in areas with cold winters and cool summers. This plant does best in low-humidity environments. This mini tree requires good air circulation .
How tall does a dwarf Alberta spruce tree grow?
This spruce variety is related to some giant varieties that can grow 100 feet or taller but because dwarf Alberta spruce rarely exceeds about 13 feet, it is a popular choice for foundation plantings and as a specimen plant all over America.
What is the best climate for a dwarf Alberta spruce tree?
This specimen is best suited for a climate with cold winters and cool summers. A Dwarf Alberta spruce tree grows best in full sun and well-drained acidic soil.
How to grow dwarf Alberta spruce?
The two ways to grow dwarf Alberta spruce are from seeds or branch cutting. The quickest way to propagate this plant is by using a 6-inch-long softwood branch cutting taken in late summer or early fall. Softwood branches are long and firm branches but should not be hardened and woody. Here's more about the cutting method:
How to harvest spruce seeds?
Spruce seeds grow in cones. Pick them young before they ripen. Extract the seeds from the cones by allowing the cones to dry out, open, and spill out the seeds. This can take up to two weeks.
What is a cone shaped conifer?
A perfect cone-shaped dwarf conifer displaying dense green needles which are soft to the touch. Excellent as a miniature Christmas tree in natural form, or as an artistically pruned topiary. Makes a formal statement in the garden. A superb container specimen. Evergreen.
What is dense growth?
Dense growth means it's also a great screen plant that won't overgrow tight spaces. Use symmetrical form as a single accent, in matched pair or in an evenly spaced series amidst hedges and parterres. Experiment with topiary spirals or poodles for potted specimens on entries and patios, where there's no room to plant.
What is a good tree for Christmas?
Its oils have some commercial value. Conifer; prized for foliage. This dense pointed conifer is a perfect front yard Christmas tree for holiday lighting at small city homes. Dense growth means it's also a great screen plant that won't overgrow tight spaces.
How big is Picea?
Its oils have some commercial value. Average Size at Maturity. Grows 8 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide.
What are the yellow spots on a dwarf spruce?
Check the dwarf spruce periodically for symptoms of spruce spider mites (Oligonychus ununguis), such as yellow marks on the needles, webbing and brown needles in hot weather. If you suspect mites, hold a sheet of white paper under a branch and shake the branch. Spider mites will fall onto the paper and look like small black dots.
How to kill dwarf spruce?
Pour 1/8 teaspoon of the miticide in a 1/2 gallon hand sprayer. Add 1/2 gallon of water and swirl the sprayer gently to mix the product with the water. Spray the entire dwarf spruce until the product drips from it.
What tree is in the yard during the winter?
Some of the cute, colorfully wrapped, small potted trees you find in supermarkets during the winter holidays are dwarf Alberta spruce trees (Picea glauca "Conica"). Many people either plant the tree in the yard after the holidays or throw it away when it dies from lack of proper care.
Can you use soap on a dwarf spruce tree?
Do not use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil on dwarf Alberta spruce trees, even though they are made up of less harsh chemicals, because they can affect the attractive blue-gray of the spruce's needles. Mature dwarf Alberta spruce trees eventually grow to 6 to 8 feet tall.
Can dwarf spruce be kept in pots?
Although the tree works well in a container because of its slow growth rate, it doesn’t tolerate heat well and grows in the cooler climates of U.S. Department of Agricultural plant hardiness zones 2 through 8. It's easy to keep the potted dwarf spruce alive through the holidays, but more challenging afterward.
How big does an Alberta spruce get?
The dwarf Alberta spruce can grow up to 10 to 12 feet tall , notes Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences - Department of Horticulture. It grows in a cone shape and is about 3 feet wide, so be sure to select a location where it will have plenty of room to grow.
How to propagate a dwarf spruce tree?
Do not allow the mulch to touch the tree trunk. You can also propagate dwarf spruce trees from a cutting; however, it is a slow-growing tree that does not reach maturity for 25 to 30 years.
Where is the Alberta spruce tree native to?
Department of Agriculture zones 2 to 6. The tree is native to Alberta, Canada and likes cool climates.
Can you plant dwarf Alberta spruce trees?
Plant dwarf Alberta spruce trees away from buildings that produce a strong, reflective glare in the afternoon since the intense light exposure can burn the needles.
Is a spruce tree a low maintenance tree?
The spruce is a low-maintenance tree and does not require much pruning; however, it may revert to the original white spruce (Picea glauca), which is a larger, faster-growing tree hardy to USDA hardiness zone 2, notes Virginia Cooperative Extension. Immediately prune any new branches that look different.
Can a dwarf spruce grow in full sun?
When selecting a spot to plant your new dwarf spruce, pick a spot where your tree will get full sun or partial shade. This tree won't grow well in full shade. It likes moist, well-drained soil and does not tolerate hot, humid climates or dry soil, notes Ohio State University. Ensure that you plant your dwarf spruce where it will not be exposed ...
