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Spruce Trees in Montana by Martha Mikkelson, Peter Kolb and Chris Onstad MSU Plant Disease Diagnostician, MSU Extension Forester and Toole County Extension Agent

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Spruce Trees in Montana by Martha Mikkelson, Peter Kolb and Chris Onstad MSU Plant Disease Diagnostician, MSU Extension Forester and Toole County Extension Agent Growing Spruce Trees in Montana by Martha Mikkelson, Peter Kolb and Chris Onstad MSU Plant Disease Diagnostician, MSU Extension Forester and Toole County Extension Agent This publication contains extensive information about spruce trees best adapted to Montana’s climate. It includes sections on types of spruce; advice on obtaining spruce cultivars; recommended techniques for planting, watering, fertilizing, pruning; and information MT199809 AG Reviewed 3/05 about diseases and insect problems. pruce trees are rugged Types of spruce evergreens that can withstand Colorado Sextreme winter cold. These Identifying spruces Blue trees can live as long as 200 years At first glance, spruces, Douglas Spruce and rank among the largest trees that firs, and the true firs appear similar. can survive on the Montana prairies. However, they are easy to tell apart Although not as drought tolerant as with closer inspection of the needles. ponderosa pine, they grow reasonably Spruces have stiff, prickly, four-sided well in partially protected locations. needles that are evenly arranged Colorado spruce, Norway spruce, around the top, sides and bottom of Black Hills white spruce and twigs. Douglas fir and true firs have Engelmann spruce are common in soft, flexible, flat needles that grow on Montana. Cultivars of each species the sides and sometimes the tops of also exist, providing many ornamental twigs but rarely on the bottom. Cones opportunities for different shapes, of both spruce and Douglas-fir hang colors and mature sizes. down from the branches, whereas Spruces are most suited to large, true fir cones point towards the sky. open areas with full sun. The figures Douglas fir cones have seed bracts in this MontGuide depict trees grown shaped like pitchforks while spruce in open, full sun conditions. Spruces cones do not have bracts. also make superb components of An easy way to distinguish windbreaks and privacy screens. Over between types of spruce is to examine many year, spruces can grow too their cones (see page 7). Colorado blue spruce big for average-sized yards. Slow- (Picea pungens) growing dwarf cultivars may Colorado spruce is native to the be appropriate alternatives. mountains of Colorado, Utah, and This MontGuide provides Wyoming and grows reasonably well gardeners with information on in yards and shelterbelts throughout selecting adapted spruces, planting Montana. It is very hardy and fairly and maintaining spruces, and drought tolerant. Most spruces, combating common spruce problems. including Colorado spruce, prefer A-13 mildly acidic soils (pH 5.5 to 7.0) White spruce (Picea glauca) or Engelmann spruce and are slow growers in heavy clay or Black Hills white spruce (‘Densata’) (Picea engelmanii) alkaline soils with pH above 8.0. White spruce is native to much of the Engelmann spruce is native to higher Growth rates vary considerably northern United States. In Montana, elevations of the Cascades and Rocky depending upon site conditions. it grows naturally in the Glacier Park Mountains, including the mountains Average growth rates may be only 3 to area. It grows best in protected areas of western and central Montana. 4 inches per year on young trees, but with well-drained, moist loam soils. Compared to Colorado spruce, it may increase to 12 inches per year on Mature size averages 50 feet tall by 20 is taller and more slender. Needles good sites or with irrigation. feet wide. point towards the branch tip, making There are many Colorado spruce The dozens of cultivars include the branches softer to the touch. The cultivars. Cultivar needle colors vary Black Hills spruce (‘Densata’), a needles have a distinctive, rank odor from silvery-blue to green to gold. slower-growing form that is more when crushed. Mature size ranges from less than one compact and considered more drought Engelmann spruce prefer deep, foot to 70 feet tall. Form can vary tolerant than other species. ‘Conica’ rich, loamy soils and ample moisture. dramatically from large, pyramidal (Dwarf Alberta spruce) is a popular These requirements make them fairly cultivars to dwarf cultivars that are dwarf with a dense cone shape that poor windbreak species, except at ground-hugging, globe shaped, or may reach 6 feet in 25 years. ‘Conica’ higher elevations. In central and even weeping. is excellent for small hedges and as a eastern Montana, they grow slowly formal specimen tree. However, spider (25 feet high in 40 years). There are mite injury and early spring needle Norway spruce approximately eight cultivars which desiccation are common problems. include ‘Argentea’ (silvery-gray (Picea abies) Protected planting sites and early spring needles), ‘Glauca’ (steel-blue needles), Norway spruce is native to Europe, shading are important for successful and ‘Snake’ (a bizarre, sparsely- where it is an important wood species. growth. ‘Rainbow’s End’ is similar branched upright form). Its growth characteristics are similar to ‘Conica,’ but has striking yellow to those of Colorado blue spruce. new growth in spring that resembles Norway spruces are reported to be Christmas lights. Obtaining spruce cultivars more susceptible to spider mites than Montana nurseries carry many full- the other spruces listed here. The many sized spruce tree forms and some dwarf cultivars of Norway spruce include types. Very few dwarf conifers have ‘Bird’s Nest Spruce’ which has a nest- been tested adequately under Montana like depression in the shrub center and conditions, although we expect many to may reach 3 feet high after many years. ‘Little Gem’ may reach 18 inches tall after 10 years. Norway White Engelmann Spruce Spruce Spruce 2 grow well here, especially in protected burlap or dipping them in a slurry of transplants generally need more areas. For more information on dwarf clay or commercial equivalent (such as frequent watering than established conifer varieties, contact the American “Hydrosource”) until replanting. trees. A drip irrigation system generally Conifer Society at P.O. Box 360, Dig a large planting hole so that provides the most effective deep Keswick, VA 22947-0360 or at their roots are not twisted or J-shaped (bent watering. Shallow watering encourages World Wide Web site (www.pacificrim. upwards). Prune aberrant roots to fit the shallow rooting and weaker plants. net/~bydesign/acs.html). hole. Plant trees with the soil surface Stop watering in mid-August to approximately one inch above the upper help trees harden-off for cold weather. roots. Planting spruces too deeply will If water is available in the fall, water Planting and maintaining spruce cause the buried part of the stem to die. evergreens thoroughly after leaves Water after planting, since the small of deciduous trees have fallen. Fall Planting root systems of new transplants are less watering helps trees tolerate drying Fall or spring are suitable for planting able than established trees to extract winter conditions. Many Montana wells spruce. Dormant spruces usually water from dry soil. Keep moisture such have high salt levels that actually can transplant better than do actively that the soil has the texture of a freshly desiccate trees and shrubs. Test water growing spruces. Transplanting in hot, baked cake. Overwatering in heavy clay from questionable sources to ensure dry summer weather often results in soil can deplete soil oxygen and cause suitable quality for irrigation. drought stress and poor survival. In root death. fall, plant after the first hard frost when When transplanting young established Fertilizer spruces, prune the roots one year before the soil is still warm. Mulch around Unusually stunted needles, light green transplanting, preferably in early spring. trees to avoid frost heaving of the foliage, dead twigs on the ends of Root pruning causes trees to send out roots. In spring, plant as soon as the branches, and poor growth may indicate multiple rootlets at the point where soil is workable. Do not plant during the need for fertilizer. However, the roots are cut, producing a denser chinooks. other causes can mimic these same rootball .Slice the roots spade-deep in a Small seedlings can be obtained symptoms. A soil test can help detect circle around the drip-line. Water well as either bareroot or container stock. nutrient problems. after root pruning or severe drought Larger trees can be obtained with At the time of planting, a slow stress may occur. their root systems and soil enclosed release fertilizer pellet (designed for The larger the root system taken in burlap wrapping (balled and Christmas tree plantations) can be with the tree, the better the chances burlapped). However, the roots must placed into the bottom of the planting for survival. Expect several years of not be wrapped in burlap longer than hole, slightly deeper than the tree recovery time following transplanting six months or they will be severely root system. Only use fertilizers before optimal growth resumes. Larger root-bound and less likely to survive. with nitrogen designations less than trees may take longer to establish in the If the burlap is biodegradable, prior to “10” unless diluted with water. For new site than seedlings. planting slice the material vertically example, 20-20-20 fertilizer diluted the entire length of the root ball along to 2 pounds per 100 gallons of water every six inches of the circumference Water roughly equals “4-4-4.” A general to encourage roots to grow outward. Watering frequency depends on soil fertilizer recommendation for spruces Remove plastic burlap and wires since type, air and soil temperature, and is an application of not more than these will not decompose. wind speed. Addition of 3 to 4 inches 0.15 pounds actual nitrogen for trees Fine roots will dry out and die of mulch under the entire tree canopy with diameters less than 6 inches and when exposed to the air for only a few (dripline) can conserve water and a maximum of 0.30 pounds for larger minutes during transplanting.
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