How to Grow Colorado Blue Spruce Trees
The official state tree of Colorado is the majestic Colorado blue spruce. You can find Colorado blue spruce, also known as Colorado spruce, growing in suburbs, out in the wild, and in nearly every corner of the Centennial state, but what about growing a blue spruce on your property? The dense branches of the Colorado blue spruce provide excellent shelter for birds.
Colorado blue spruce trees thrive in full sun conditions and require a minimum of six hours of sunlight daily for optimal development.
The Colorado blue spruce’s symmetry, compact branching, and gorgeous blue hue make it a great tree to grow on your property – if you take the right steps. Let’s learn how to grow Colorado blue spruce, from plant selection to tips on maintenance so your blue spruce stands tall for decades.
Introduction to Colorado Blue Spruce
The Colorado blue spruce, also known as Picea pungens, is a stunning evergreen tree native to the Rocky Mountains. This Colorado blue spruce is a popular choice for landscaping due to its attractive blue spruce foliage and pyramidal form. With its medium growth rate and drought-tolerant nature, it’s an ideal tree for cooler climates. Whether you’re looking to add a privacy screen or a specimen tree to your landscape, the Colorado blue spruce is an excellent choice. To get started, it’s essential to understand the needs of this tree, including its preference for well-drained soil and full sun.
Understanding Picea Pungens
Picea pungens, or the Colorado blue spruce, is a member of the pine family. This tree is known for its striking blue spruce needles and pyramidal shape, making it a popular choice for Christmas trees and landscaping. The Colorado blue spruce is a long-lived tree, with some specimens living up to 600 years. It’s also deer-resistant and can tolerate heat, making it an excellent choice for a variety of landscapes. When planting a Colorado blue spruce, it’s crucial to choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil to ensure the tree thrives.
Choosing the Right Blue Spruce
When selecting a blue spruce tree, it’s essential to consider the mature size of the tree and the space available in your landscape. Colorado blue spruces can grow up to 120 feet tall and 35 feet wide, so make sure to leave enough room for the tree to grow. Look for a tree with a straight trunk and well-developed branches, and consider the Colorado blue spruce variety that suits your needs. To create a stunning privacy screen, you can also plant blue spruce trees in rows. Remember to choose a tree from a reputable nursery to ensure you’re getting a healthy tree.
The Benefits of Colorado Blue
The Colorado Blue Spruce is a highly valued tree species, offering numerous benefits for landscaping and environmental purposes. One of the primary advantages of the Colorado Blue Spruce is its deer-resistant nature, making it an ideal choice for properties where deer are common. Additionally, the tree is drought tolerant, allowing it to thrive in areas with limited water supply. The Colorado Blue Spruce also provides excellent privacy screen capabilities, with its dense branches and pyramidal form making it perfect for blocking unwanted views. Furthermore, the tree’s medium growth rate and ability to tolerate heat make it suitable for a wide range of climates, including cooler climates. With its stunning blue-green foliage and excellent shape, the Colorado Blue Spruce is a popular choice for landscaping projects, and its long-lived nature ensures that it will remain a beautiful and functional part of any landscape for decades to come.
How to Plant Colorado Blue Spruce Trees
Plant Selection
For the best blue spruce, you need the best blue spruce saplings. Look for the following qualities when choosing a blue spruce sapling:
- Only choose saplings grown in Colorado.
- Look for strong, compact branches. A strong looking sapling in excellent shape makes for a stronger blue spruce after planting. Never settle for a weak-looking sapling.
- Check for bugs, fungi, and other pests that shouldn’t be on the sapling. Check the dirt too. Saplings should be in perfect condition to ensure healthy growth.
- Decide on Size. You can purchase blue spruce as six-inch saplings up to 500-gallon trees. The smaller the spruce, the less expensive and easier to install, but it will take longer to reach its full majesty and is more prone to disease and transplanting issues. Larger blue spruces are more expensive and difficult to install, but older trees are hardier than small saplings and will grow to an enjoyable size much faster.
Putting a Blue Spruce in Colorado
Unlike many plants, it’s best to plant blue spruce during the dormancy period of November to March. Planting during cold temperatures allows the blue spruce to develop roots for the spring season.
- Choose a site with full sun, loose draining soil, and plenty of elbow room. Colorado blue spruce trees thrive in neutral to acidic soil, and using an acidic fertilizer can help if the existing soil is alkaline.
- Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and at least three times the width. The tree can also adapt to sandy soil, which provides good drainage.
- Drop the spruce in the hole so that it’s at or just slightly above ground level.
- Backfill the hole with a 50/50 mixture of the dirt you dug up and add soil conditioner, compost, or a topsoil mix.
- Using leftover dirt, build a 3-inch berm around the tree to retain moisture. It’s essential to keep the soil moist during the initial growth period.
- Water deeply.
- Spread pine straw, bark, or other mulching material around the root ball at a depth of 2”. Mulch will help retain moisture and ward off weeds.
How Far Apart Do You Plant CO Blue Spruce Trees?
Colorado Blue Spruces are known for their great height and width when mature. The dense crown and layered branches of the Colorado blue spruce provide both aesthetic value and functional benefits, such as serving as a windbreak or privacy screen in landscaping. While wild blue spruces can reach over 120’ high and 35’ across, most blue spruce for residential landscaping will only reach 50-75’ tall with a 10-20’ spread. Even landscaping blue spruces will need a significant amount of growing room. Leave at least 20’ for room for growth around any blue spruces.
How to Trim a Colorado Blue Spruce Tree
Trimming and pruning on Colorado blue spruce is minimal due to its natural architecture and slow growth but many homeowners like to shape their spruce for residential settings. If you need to trim your blue spruce, follow these tips:
- Prune just after new growth appears, trimming in the dead of winter is not recommended.
- Always trim out dead and dying branches. Cut dead branches to the trunk of the spruce.
- Trim wayward branches sticking out of the canopy.
- Save any significant trimming for a certified professional.
Tip: The sharp, short needles of the Colorado blue spruce make it important to wear gloves while pruning. Blue spruces sap is extremely sticky, always wear gloves while pruning.
Caring for Blue Spruce Trees
Caring for blue spruce trees is relatively easy, as they are drought tolerant and require minimal maintenance. However, watering the tree regularly during the first year after planting is essential, especially during hot and dry weather. Add a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing. Prune the tree in late winter or early spring to maintain its shape and promote new growth. With proper care, your Colorado blue spruce will thrive and provide a stunning display of blue spruce foliage for years to come.
Common Problems with Colorado Blue Spruces
Despite their many benefits, Colorado Blue Spruces can be susceptible to certain problems. One common issue is overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other diseases. It is essential to ensure that the tree is planted in well-drained soil and that the root ball is not waterlogged. Another potential problem is pest infestation, with aphids, scale, and bagworms being common pests that can affect the tree. Regular pruning and mulching can help to prevent these issues, and fertilization can also be beneficial in promoting healthy growth. Additionally, Colorado Blue Spruces can be sensitive to extreme heat and drought, so it is crucial to provide adequate moisture and shade during the growing season. By being aware of these potential problems, property owners can take steps to prevent them and ensure that their Colorado Blue Spruce remains healthy and thriving.
Pest and Disease Management for Blue Spruce
Effective pest and disease management is crucial for maintaining the health and longevity of Colorado Blue Spruce trees. Regular inspections can help to identify potential problems early on, and integrated pest management strategies can be used to prevent infestations. Insecticidal soap and horticultural oil can be used to control aphids and scale, while bacillus thuringiensis can be used to control bagworms. Fungal diseases can be managed through the use of fungicides and cultural practices such as pruning and mulching. It is also essential to maintain good soil health through the use of organic matter and fertilization, as this can help to prevent disease and promote healthy growth. By taking a proactive approach to pest and disease management, property owners can help to ensure that their Colorado Blue Spruce remains healthy and thriving.
Overwintering and Protection
Colorado Blue Spruce trees require special care during the winter months to ensure that they remain healthy and protected. Mulching around the base of the tree can help to retain moisture and prevent soil compaction, while burlap can be used to protect the tree from wind and cold temperatures. It is also essential to water the tree regularly during the fall and early spring, as this can help to prevent drought stress. Pruning should be avoided during the winter months, as this can cause stress to the tree. Instead, pruning should be done during the late winter or early spring, when the tree is dormant. By taking these steps, property owners can help to ensure that their Colorado Blue Spruce remains healthy and protected during the winter months. Additionally, planting a Colorado Blue Spruce in a location with full sun and well-drained soil can help to promote healthy growth and prevent disease. With proper care and protection, a Colorado Blue Spruce can thrive for decades, providing a beautiful and functional addition to any landscape.
Using a Professional to Grow Colorado Blue Spruce
Large blue spruces take a professional to plant due to the heavy equipment necessary. Professional care can help extend the growing season by ensuring optimal conditions for the tree. If you want a large blue spruce installed, need help trimming your current blue spruce, or have other questions – Contact JS Enterprises, your Colorado landscaping professional. Certified landscapers know how and where to plant blue spruce for maximum health and can buy blue spruce saplings at wholesale prices, which can save you money.
Get Out and Plant a Colorado Blue Spruce
The gorgeous Colorado blue spruce makes a welcome addition to any property, neighborhood, or rural setting. Its pinecones provide food for wildlife, enhancing its ecological value. Choose the right type of plant, take care while planting your spruce, and give your new tree plenty of room to grow. The Colorado blue spruce is also an effective windbreak, showcasing its resilience in extreme weather conditions. With these tips and the help of a landscape professional, your blue spruce will turn heads and add character to your property for you and, eventually, your grandchildren.
When you’re ready to start your custom landscaping project, call us for a free estimate. Whether it’s planting a Colorado Blue Spruce, building an outdoor kitchen, water feature, hardscape, or any other custom landscape project, the professionals at JS Enterprises can create the landscape of your dreams.