A magnificent sight of silver blue-green spruce. Rated one of the most popular evergreens. It grows well while young and matures at 50-75′; 10-’20’ spread in the landscape, up to 135′ and 35′ spread in the wild. (zones 2-7)
The Colorado blue spruce adapts well to many soils—growing in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. It requires normal moisture with moderate tolerance to flooding and drought.
Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12″ to 24″ per year.
Growth Form: conical
Crown Density: dense
Size: 60-100 feet high
15-35 foot spread
Drought Resistance: fair
Cold Hardiness: excellent
Growth Rate: slow
Life Span: long
Elevational Range: to 9,500 feet
Soil Conditions: fair alkaline tolerance
Possible Insect Problems: pine needle scale, tussock moth, terminal weevil, gall aphids
Possible Disease Problems: Valsa canker, spruce witches’ broom
Wildlife Value: high: song and ground birds and grouse; hoofed and small browsers
Seasonal Color: bluish evergreen
Miscellany: native; Colorado’s state tree; high ornamental value
