Blue Spruce Growth Rate Its growth rate is moderate to quick, so some trees may grow a scant 12 inches a year while others may grow upward of 24 inches in a single growing season.

How can I make my blue spruce grow faster?

Fertilizer. Applying fertilizer to Colorado blue spruce in spring may increase its growth rate, but it's generally not needed and it's best to leave the tree to get its nutrients from the soil. If you decide to fertilize, choose a balanced fertilizer that has near-equal NPK numbers of 9 or less.

What is the fastest-growing spruce tree?

The fastest-growing spruce tree, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, is the triangular-shaped Norway spruce (Picea abies), which is part of many suburban home and rural farm landscapes throughout Europe, the United States and Canada.

What is the best time of year to plant a blue spruce?

Like other evergreens, blue spruce is best planted in the winter when growth is slower but will tolerate planting at any time during the year. Yearling blue spruce trees are available as bare root trees, in containers and burlapped, all of which require slightly varied planting techniques.

How many inches per year does a blue spruce grow?

Colorado blue spruces have a slow to medium growth rate. You can expect a height increase of less than 12 inches to 24 inches annually. In the wild, it can grow up to 75 feet. In parks and gardens, it typically grows 30 to 60 feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide.

What Is the Fastest Growing Spruce Tree?

Do spruce trees grow fast?

While the majority of these coniferous tree species have a fairly unremarkable average growth rate (between 6 inches and 11 inches per year), the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens glauca) are renowned for their extraordinarily fast rates of growth.

How far apart should you plant blue spruce?

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.

How hardy are blue spruce trees?

It tolerates dry wind and can adapt to dry soil. The tree is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. Plant Colorado blue spruce in a hole that is as deep as the root ball and two or three times as wide.

How often do you water a newly planted blue spruce?

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.

What is the easiest evergreen tree to grow?

Make it quick with the Murray Cypress.

One of the fastest-growing evergreen trees, the Murray Cypress (Cupressocyparis x leylandi 'Murray') can spurt up to 4 feet in a single year until it reaches a mature height of 30 to 40 feet and a base width of 10 feet.

What's the average lifespan of a blue spruce?

Growth and Yield- Blue spruce is apparently a long-lived tree, surviving up to 600 years or more. Diameter growth is slow; trees 10 to 13 cm (4 to 5 in) in d.b.h. may be 125 to 135 years old; at 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 in), they may be 275 to 350 years of age (84).

What shade tree grows the fastest?

• Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) ...
• Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) ...
• Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) ...
• Red Sunset Maple (Acer rubrum 'Franksred') ...
• Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) ...
• Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) ...
• River Birch (Betula nigra) ...
• Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima)

Can a blue spruce be grown in a container?

Choose a semi-dwarf blue spruce tree for containers. A container holding a blue spruce tree adds visual interest and texture to the garden and landscape. Plus, planting a blue spruce in a container gives you flexibility on where in the garden the tree will best grow since blue spruce requires full sun to partial shade.

What is the fastest growing tree for privacy?

What are the fastest-growing trees for privacy? Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.

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.

How fast does a baby blue spruce grow?

The Baby Blue Colorado Spruce has notably few disease or pest problems and is quite hardy once established in the landscape. This blue spruce has a moderate growth rate and tends to grow around 9-12″ a year. This tree reaches a mature size of 15-20′ H x 6-10′ W.

Do blue spruce need full sun?

Blue Wonder spruce care is not difficult. This is a tree that will tolerate road salt and poor soil. It prefers full sun, but will grow well in partial shade too. When you plant a Blue Wonder spruce, find a space that will work for it considering that it grows slowly and compactly, maintaining its conical shape.

What grows well with blue spruce?

Plants that have wine-red leaves (like 'Diablo' ninebark) or bright yellow foliage (such as 'Goldmound' spirea) are the kind of plant partners that will make blue spruce stand out. For a more blended and serene look, plant blue spruce with companions that have silver, purple or obsidian hues.

Can spruce trees grow next to each other?

Spruce trees are not able to grow next to each other.

How far should spruce trees be planted?

You can plant American arborvitae trees (Thuja occidentalis) 3 feet apart, but most evergreens need more space. For instance, cedars and junipers need 6 to 8 feet between them, while pines and spruces need 10 to 12 feet of spacing.

What kills blue spruce trees?

By far the most common complaint of cultivated blue spruces is needle cast disease, mostly that caused by the fungus Rhizospaera kalkhoffii. It infects young needles and overwinters on living or recently killed foliage. During the growing season, the spores spread to other branches, or other trees, by splashing water.

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. Norway spruce belongs to the species Picea abies. It is native to Northern Europe and can also be found in the central and eastern parts of the continent.

How do I make my blue spruce more blue?

Apply a chelated iron-rich fertilizer if a blue spruce develops a yellow or yellow-green color. A shortage of iron will cause the needles of a blue spruce to lose their blue coloration. The fertilizer will replace the depleted iron and help the needles regain their blue color.