spruce tree planting

The tree should be planted slightly higher than the existing ground by about 1-2 inches. Leave all of the roping and wire basket in place and do not remove them. Most b&b trees are freshly dug in the early spring and the roots that are left are probably not strong enough to hold all of the soil in place.

When should you plant spruce trees?

Plant older spruce trees when dormant in the early spring months before the tree begins to exhibit any new growth. For best results, plant the tree just before the last frost of the season and before the spring thaw or rains begin.

What kind of soil do spruce trees like?

A wide range of soil types can support blue spruce, including clay, loam or sandy soil. These trees grow wild in forests, especially at higher elevations, where they often have to contend with rocky soil and other adverse conditions. The ideal soil is a loose loam or sandy loam.

What is the best time of year to 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.

Where do spruce trees grow best?

Most forms are hardy in zone 3 and they will grow all the way through zone 7, and even in zone 8 in the north-west, so they are a good choice for most gardens. This tree is not particularly drought resistant, and it's not a good choice if you have dry soil and hot, dry summers.

How fast will a blue spruce grow?

This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.

Can you still plant bulbs in November?

November is the ideal time as the colder temperatures can help stop tulip fire disease and other fungal and viral diseases which remain in the soil when it is warmer. Here's our planting guide. 1. Check your bulbs: Make sure none of the bulbs are soft or look rotten and if there are any, discard them.

What is the best fertilizer for spruce trees?

Spruce trees do not have very high phosphorous needs and benefit most form an acidic fertilizer designed for evergreens or a high-nitrogen fertilizer with a formula like 12-6-4 or 10-8-6. Organic fertilizer options include compost, fish emulsion, cottonseed meal and alfalfa meal.

How much water does a newly planted spruce tree need?

1 Water evergreen trees regularly during the first year after planting. Give the tree 1 to 3 inches of water every week, unless moisture comes in the form of rainfall. Watering deeply once or twice weekly is better than more frequent, shallow irrigation, as deep watering will develop long, healthy roots.

Do spruce trees need a lot of water?

Most varieties of spruce trees have a medium to high need for moisture. Spruce trees do not tolerate drought conditions so proper watering is imperative to their health. You are fairly accurate in determining how much water each tree requires. ... Mulch will help conserve soil moisture.

How far apart should you plant blue spruce trees?

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.

Are blue spruce tree roots invasive?

Depending upon the size of your spruce, you'll find most of the roots in the top 12-18" of soil, extending out at least as far as the branch tips. Typically the roots are not invasive, but it depends upon how close the tree is planted to them. ...

What can I plant next to Blue Spruce?

Plant companions that color-coordinate and flow with the spruce tree. Choose plants that will show off, not compete with your blue spruce. Deep purples, reds, blacks and bronzes make good choices to plant en masse to showcase the spruce tree's blue foliage.

How long does a spruce tree take to grow?

The Colorado blue spruce grows at a slow to medium rate, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, although it picks up a bit as it gets older. 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.

What is the lifespan of a spruce tree?

For most of the common spruces (Blue spruce, Norway spruce, White spruce), you can expect 150 - 200 year lifespan on average - though some have lived far longer - 800 or 900 years is not unheard of.

Which is better pine or spruce?

Overall, pine is probably the better choice for flooring. It has more character, and can hide dents better than spruce. If you're going for a pine appearance, but still require durability, use yellow pine -- it's about four times harder than soft pine.

Can you keep a blue spruce small?

While not a true dwarf ornamental, the Baby Blue Eyes Spruce tree is the closest thing to a dwarf evergreen tree on the market today. A typical Colorado Blue Spruce will grow 50-75 feet tall and 20 feet wide. For homeowners with size constraints, this simply will not work.

How can I make my spruce grow faster?

Sprinkle a fertilizer around the base of the tree. Use a 10-8-6 quick-release formulation during April, May, June or early July. Between July 15 and October 15, choose a slow-release 10-8-6 fertilizer instead, so that you do not encourage too much growth before winter.

How deep do blue spruce tree roots grow?

Early Development. 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.

Can I plant tulip bulbs in November?

In general, you'll want to plant when the soil is 60F degrees or less, about six inches down. ... For example, tulips are usually planted in September and October in Zones 4 and 5; October or November in zones 6 and 7; November to early December in zones 8 and 9; and as late as January in zone 10.

What happens if you plant bulbs too late?

If you miss planting your bulbs at the optimal time, don't wait for spring or next fall. Bulbs aren't like seeds. They won't survive out of the ground indefinitely. Even if you find an unplanted sack of tulips or daffodils in January or February, plant them and take your chances.

How late is too late to plant bulbs?

This means that you can plant bulbs as late as January – if you can dig a hole deep enough to plant. Plant tulips and daffodils as late as the end of January! This way, they'll develop roots through the spring, and bloom later than usual. Keep in mind that bulbs planted in late January may have smaller blooms.