Expert: Jim Hyland - 5/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello - I am trying to purchase a dwarf Alberta spruce, but am having a hard time finding a tree, as opposed to a shrub. When I look at the tree growth, I see that widths reach up to 5' wide, which indicates a shrub. What should I look for to make sure that I am purchasing a tree and not a shrub?  I was hoping to plant dwarf blue spruce, but cannot find any nurseries which sell those at all. So I have settled on the Alberta spruce, but really do not want to end up with a shrub.

Thanks so much,

Jean

ANSWER: Dwarf trees are usually less than 15 feet tall and can be classified as a shrub--trees are 15 feet tall or larger.

Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce
Picea pungens 'Globosa'
Average landscape size:  3 to 5 ft. tall, 5 to 6 ft. wide.

Alberta Blue Dwarf Alberta Spruce
Picea glauca 'Haal'
Mature Height: 4-6 ft.  
Mature Width:  4 ft.  

The mature height will give you the size of the "tree".

Colorado Blue Spruce tree, Picea Pungens
Mature Height 30 - 60 feet
Mature Spread 10 - 20 feet


With pruning you could keep the spruce from getting too tall fast.

A Colorado Blue Spruce is somewhat forgiving when it comes to being trimmed, but if you don't follow the appropriate guidelines, you could end up with a shaggy tree that looks more like a hedge gone berserk than it does a conifer. Of course, you may prefer a fuzzy look to your blue spruce. While the Colorado Blue Spruce can technically be trimmed at any time of the year, trim in the winter or early spring for the best results.


Step 1
Remove all dead wood and branches. Cut all dead and dying branches back to within 1 inch of the trunk. You will find a swelling (a node) where the branch attaches to the trunk; make your cut just beyond this node, leaving the node on the tree. Trim large branches by making a 1/2 inch deep cut on the underside of the branch at the point where you want the branch cut. Then cut all the way through the branch, cutting from the top side of the branch, about 3 inches beyond the first underside cut you made. In this way the branch can break off cleanly without tearing the bark as you near the completion of your cut. Once the major part of the branch has broken off, cut off the 3-inch stub where you made your first cut.

Step 2
Review the looks of your tree and cut off branches (following the directions in Step 1) which do not contribute to the overall look you desire. Remember, cutting the ends of a branch will cause your Colorado Blue Spruce to grow "fuzzy" branch ends where you make your cuts.

Step 3
Do not top a Colorado Blue Spruce. Trim off approximately every third branch if you wish to slow the growth of your spruce and keep it from getting too tall.

Step 4
Cut lower branches as per the directions in Step 1 to facilitate walking and mowing under the tree. Cut branches that cross each other, or which are rubbing together.






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much Jim. One more thing - I am in Maryland and have obviously missed the March/April planting. Is there any other time this year I could plant my dwarf conifers?

Jean

Answer
You can go ahead and plant now but make sure you mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. This will help hold moisture around the roots. Pine straw is good.

Dig the hole twice the size of the rootball or pot and as deep and fill with good top soil or potting soil. Water with 1 inch of water--place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop,. Do this every third day for the first month and then once a week if it does not rain. The main problem with planting late is lack of moisture for the roots to get a hold before hot weather sets in.