Thisspruce tree varietyis related to trees that grow 100 feet or taller.
This dwarf version grows very slowlyabout 2 to 4 inches per year, and rarely exceeds 13 feet.
The aromatic green needles are about 1/2 inch long.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Unlike its larger white spruce cousins, the dwarf Alberta spruce rarely produces pine cones.
This tree can live 50 years or more in the right conditions.
Read on to see how to care for a dwarf Alberta spruce.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Dwarf Alberta Spruce Care
A dwarf Alberta spruce grows best in well-drainedacidic soil.
These plants do not like soggy soil, so water only when the top three inches are dry.
The dwarf Alberta spruce is best suited for a climate with cold winters and cool summers.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It is native to North America.
Planting
Plant seeds in late spring or early fall.
After a cold period and the temperature begins to warm, it triggers germination and new growth.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The planting hole should be twice as wide as the tree’s container and about 2 inches deeper.
Water thoroughly after planting and cover the ground around the tree with a thick layer of shredded bark mulch.
Give these plants an eastern or northern exposure.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Avoid planting where harsh winter winds or hot afternoon sun can burn them.
Soil
Grow dwarf Alberta spruce in moist, well-drained soil.
It does best in soil that is slightly acid to alkaline in pH.
These plants work well with regular potting soil with added peat moss.
Cover with shredded bark mulch.
Water
Water dwarf Alberta spruce when the top 3 inches of soil is dry.
If you keep this plant in containers, water it more often than you would water in-ground plants.
These plants do not like soggy soil, so beware of overwatering.
Temperature and Humidity
Dwarf Alberta spruce performs best in areas with cold winters and cool summers.
This plant does best in low-humidity environments.
This mini tree requires good air circulation.
For an organic alternative, try a natural fertilizer likefish emulsion.
Mature trees require no feeding.
The dwarf varieties can be used as container plants or specimen planting.
Spruce trees are popular for providing year-round color in your landscape.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary with dwarf Alberta spruce since it grows so slowly.
Damaged branches should be removed whenever you find them.
Pruning can be done in late winter or early spring when new growth appears.
Cut no more than 2 to 3 inches off the tips of the branches.
you might keep a dwarf Alberta spruce small bytrimming it into a topiary formwhen grown in a container.
Pruning Tip
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Propagating Dwarf Alberta Spruce
you could propagate dwarf Alberta spruce from seeds or branch cuttings.
Softwood branches are long and firm branches, and should not be hardened and woody.
Spruce seeds grow in cones.
Pick them young before they ripen.
This can take up to two weeks.
Promote Germination Yourself
Some people like toscar or weaken the outer coating of the seedto promote germination.
The seed will enter dormancy and naturally acclimate to the warming temperatures when spring returns.
A pot helps bind the root system.
A pot-bound dwarf Alberta Spruce will grow slower and shorter than plants that have more room to grow.
Use well-draining potting soil with ample drainage holes.
These plants do not like overly wet soil.
The biggest concern is the harsh wind chill that could permeate the potting container.
you might further insulate the roots by surrounding the containers with bales of hay or straw.
An organic alternative to a synthetic pesticide is weekly treatment withinsecticidal soap.
Do not crowd this plant.
If this happens, trim off the brown leaves.
New growth may reemerge.
Cover the ground at the tree base with 2 to 4 inches ofmulchto reduce moisture loss.
If the entire tree turns brown, the plant is a lost cause.
Replace it and start again with a regular watering regimen or a different sun exposure.
Closely inspect the trunk to see if animals are chewing the base of the plant.
If the bark is gone from the plant, the tree will have to be replaced.
If you notice blackening, mushy roots, it has root rot.
Cut away the diseased section of rotted roots with a sharp, sanitized knife.
Treat it with an antifungal according to the directions.
Repot it in fresh, well-draining soil in a sterilized pot.
A white spruce’s average lifespan is over 200 years.
Spruce trees, including this dwarf variety, are slow-growing, long-lived trees.
Picea glauca ‘Conica’ - Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Pinaceae).
Why is My Spruce Tree Turning Brown?City of Aberdeen, Parks, Recreation & Forestry Dept.
