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Is a blue spruce a pine tree?
The Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is a member of the pine tree family that is native to the Rocky Mountain regions of North America. 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.
How big do blue spruce trees grow?
Mature Size The Colorado blue spruce grows to a height of 50–75′ and a spread of 10–20′ at maturity.
What does blue spruce plant look like?
This pyramidal conifer has a habit of growing slowly. Its persistent and fragrant needle-like bluish green foliage are densely distributed around the reddish gray twigs. These needles are stiff and sharp. Other Names — Blue Spruce, Green Spruce, White Spruce, Colorado Spruce or Colorado Blue Spruce and Picea Pungens.
What does a real spruce tree look like?
Spruce trees can be identified by their needles which have four sides. Each needle is individually attached to the branch and can be rolled easily between your fingers. Another way to identify spruce trees is by their cones that are covered with smooth thin scales. It is quite easy to bend the cones of spruce trees.
What’s a spruce tree look like?
But unlike fir trees, spruce trees have a tiny bump between the branch and the needle called the sterigmata. Shape: Spruce tree needles are almost square-shaped, with distinct sides you can feel when you roll a needle in between your fingers. Their tips are pointy and sharp. Texture: Two words—stiff and smooth.
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.What Is The Difference Between A Blue Spruce And A Norway Spruce? Blue Spruce Norway Spruce Mature height 25-65 ft 50-100 ft Mature width 10-15 ft 15-20 ft Growth rate medium fast Light exposure full sun full sun, partial shade.
Can you grow a blue spruce from a pine cone?
You can’t plant a pine cone and expect it to grow. The cone serves as a woody container for the seeds, which are released from the cone only when environmental conditions are exactly right. By the time you gather cones that fall from the tree, the seeds have probably already been released from the cone.
What is blue spruce wood good for?
Uses: The Colorado blue spruce is most commonly used for windbreaks throughout the country. The thickness of the trees reduces wind velocities and can reduce soil erosion greatly. The Colorado blue spruce is not used to make lumber because of its knotty wood and weakness compared to other trees used for lumber.
Should I plant a blue spruce?
Bare root Colorado blue spruces should be planted while dormant so roots can become established before leaf and shoot growth begins. Late winter through early spring is best depending on your climate and ground thaw date. Bare root spruces can also be planted in very early fall.
How much space does a blue spruce need?
Colorado blue spruce is hardy in our region. Purchase trees from a local nursery or garden center. Plant trees in full sun from spring to summer in well-drained, slightly acidic, humus-rich, moist ground. Space specimen trees 20 to 30 feet apart.
What is the best time of year to plant a blue spruce?
Unlike many plants, its 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.
Can you plant a blue spruce next to your house?
This tree is way over planted and it is quite simply a problem tree. I 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!.
Are blue spruce trees Hardy?
Colorado Blue Spruce Planting Guide Colorado 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 do you keep blue spruce blue?
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.)Aug 31, 2020.
Are there different types of blue spruce trees?
Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) The Colorado blue spruce has blue needles in a range of shades. The Glauca variety is a light blue, and Glauca Pendula is a weeping cultivar. If you want a shorter one, available varieties include Fat Albert, Glauca Globosa, and Glauca Jean’s Dilly.
What’s the difference between pine and spruce?
The main difference between spruce and pine is that the needles of the spruce are short whereas the needles of the pine are long. Furthermore, the twig of a spruce bears a single needle while a twig of a pine bears two, three or five needles. Moreover, the needles of the spruce are sharply pointed and square.
Is there a dwarf blue spruce?
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.
