The dwarf Alberta spruce is an evergreen conifer with a classic pyramidal Christmas tree shape that rarely exceeds 13 feet.
How tall will a Alberta spruce get?
The dwarf Alberta spruce is a small tree that reaches a mature height of 10 to 13 feet and only grows about two to four inches a year. Due to its slow growth rate and ease of care, these trees are a favorite of gardeners looking for a reliable focal point for their yard and landscaping.
Why is Alberta spruce turning brown?
A dwarf Alberta spruce that’s turning brown at the top is telling you there’s a problem with the trunk or the roots. Check to see if weed whackers have sliced the trunk, or animals have chewed the bark. If most of the bark is gone from the base of the trunk, the tree will have to be replaced.
Can dwarf Alberta spruce survive winter?
Dwarf Alberta spruce, hardy in zones 2 to 6, but subject to winter burn whether grown in ground or in planters. I have seen these plants survive the winter in above ground planters in sheltered areas. You may want to provide added insulation to increase winter survival.
Do Alberta spruce make good Christmas trees?
This is a slow growing conifer that will take 15 plus years to reach its mature height, this slow growth habit makes this plant great for topiaries and container garden specimens that can be decorated during the holidays as a miniature Christmas tree.
What is the lifespan of an Alberta spruce?
It grows on average about 2 to 4 inches per year. It can take about 30 years to reach its maximum size of 10 to 13 feet based on that rate. And, if in an ideal location, it can live on for many years. A white spruce’s average lifespan is over 200 years.
How fast do Alberta spruce grow?
2 to 4 inches a year
Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) has a shape like a miniature Christmas tree. Bright green needles demand little care to look their best, and a slow growth rate makes this spruce a go-to evergreen for containers. Dwarf Alberta spruce grows just 2 to 4 inches a year.
How do you keep an Alberta Spruce alive?
Dwarf Alberta spruces will grow in full sun to partial shade. Plant it in well-drained, consistently moist soil. If planted in a container, water when the top 3 inches of soil is dry. Once the plant is growing outside, one problem you may run into with this plant is spider mites.
How much water does an Alberta Spruce need?
Water your new tree deeply a couple times a week for the first month or two. After your plants are established, they only need watered when the potting soil is dry. This Spruce is drought tolerant after establishing.
How often do you water an Alberta Spruce?
In the instance where trees are planted in the lawn, they should NOT be watered if new sod has been planted. Trees planted in an established lawn should, however, be watered 3 times per week. Trees planted in a landscape bed should be watered the same as your shrubs and evergreens.
What kills dwarf Alberta spruce?
spruce spider mites
Most commonly, dwarf Alberta spruce fall victim to spruce spider mites. These tiny yet extremely destructive relatives of spiders can quickly kill a tree. Since they’re so tiny, mites are almost impossible to see.
How do you take care of an Alberta spruce in the winter?
plant in more sheltered locations. plant away from paths and driveways. erect a screen or something to defuse the sun from shining directly on the plant over winter. heap snow under the plant before it all melts, to help retain soil moisture.
Are dwarf Alberta spruce low maintenance?
with a USDA Cold Hardiness range between 2 and 9. The Dwarf Alberta Spruce is the definition of low-maintenance, its lovely forest-green foliage naturally attains a symmetric pyramidal form and is among the most resilient shrubs grown today.
What is the best evergreen for a Christmas tree?
We’ve rated four of the most popular evergreens—Fraser fir, Douglas fir, white pine, and Colorado blue spruce—on their fullness, strength, fragrance, and longevity out of four, with four being the best performance.
What is the top selling evergreen Christmas tree?
1. Fraser Fir Christmas Tree. Known for its ideal full shape, the Fraser fir is considered one of the most popular and best-selling Christmas trees in the US. Its silvery-green, inch-long needles that are soft to the touch make it a beautiful holiday tree.
What is the prettiest spruce tree?
Of all the species of spruce trees, Serbian spruces are considered one of the best-looking in the landscape. They have dark green, flat needles with white bands on the underside that give them a gorgeous silvery cast when they blow in the wind.
How deep are Alberta spruce roots?
It reaches about two feet after four or five years and can grow slightly more, with the diameter of the root system a little larger than its crown.
Do you have to trim Alberta spruce?
These evergreens should be pruned in early spring, when you first notice the new growth appear. It is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season. Pinch off the tips of lateral branches to maintain the size of the tree’s height or width by cutting away just the end 1/2 to 1 inch of new growth.
What are the disadvantages of spruce?
Pros and Cons of Spruce Wood As a Softwood
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent compressive and bending strength | Poor hardness and density |
| High flexibility | Less durability |
| Attractive uniform texture | Low weather resistance |
| High workability | Easily get damaged by insect attacks |
What can I plant with Alberta spruce?
We recommend planting it with some other cold-hardy evergreens with great texture for a unique rock garden appeal. For instance, the Gold Mop False Cypress really shines alongside it. They both have a slow-growth habit, dynamite texture, and effortless elegance.
How far apart should you plant Alberta spruce trees?
The Dwarf Alberta Spruce grows to be six to eight feet. To ensure the health of the plant, spacing should be 4-5 feet, center on center.