Spring has arrived and all of my trees have new growth, except the little blue spruce. Last year it started with new growth but stopped. This year there is none. It isnt a rich green color, but it isnt dead, either. Does anyone know if there is any hope for this little tree?.
When you click “Accept,” you agree that Houzz and our partners can use cookies and other tracking tools to make content more relevant to you, show you ads that are more relevant to your interests, and make our site work better. You can read our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, or customize preferences here.
When spring arrives, blue spruce trees undergo an exciting transformation. While they maintain their iconic blue-green evergreen needles through winter, the arrival of warmer weather ushers in a flush of fresh new growth. This “new wood” is a sign of vigor and gives visual interest to these stately conifers.
The Nature of New Growth on Blue Spruce
Blue spruce (Picea pungens) is a popular needled evergreen tree prized for its powder blue foliage. It is a large conifer that can reach 60-100 feet tall at maturity in the right growing conditions.
Blue spruce is able to photosynthesize year-round thanks to its evergreen needles. But it still follows a yearly cycle of new growth emerging each spring.
This new foliage develops from buds that were formed during the previous growing season. The buds swell and burst open, revealing tender new shoots and needles.
On blue spruce, the new growth differs visually from the existing foliage. The new needles are a bright green or lime green color rather than blue. As they age over a few months, the new needles will transition to the typical blue hue.
Spruce trees need this new growth to remain vigorous The new foliage is more efficient at photosynthesizing due to the optimal shape and size of the needles New shoots also increase branch length and fullness.
Identifying New Growth on Blue Spruce
The fresh new needles and shoots of blue spruce are easy to spot against the established bluish foliage
Look for the following characteristics:
-
Bright green needles that emerge clustered together. Older blue needles emerge singularly from the branches.
-
Long, pliable new shoots rather than the mature woody twigs.
-
Flushed new growth concentrated near branch tips and the top half of the tree. Lower and inner branches have less new growth.
-
In spring, new buds are often coated with a waxy bloom that protects the tender new growth.
-
Silvery fuzzy buds that have recently burst open to reveal the new needles. The needle tips emerge looking slightly frosted.
Where New Growth Develops on Blue Spruce Trees
The location where new growth emerges on blue spruce follows a predictable pattern. This understanding allows proper pruning and care.
The most prolific new growth occurs near the top of the main leader stem and on the upper branches. These areas capture the most sunlight, fueling rapid growth.
Lower and inner branches inside the canopy often have slower growth rates. They receive less light and are more shaded.
However, even lower branches continue to elongate slightly each year from new growth. The branch tips farthest from the trunk will have concentrated new shoots.
Heavy pruning stimulates multiple buds to activate down a branch. This results in bushier new growth after cutting back.
Caring for New Growth on Blue Spruce
The tender new growth of blue spruce requires proper care to ensure health and vigor. Here are some tips:
-
Water sufficiently – New shoots are prone to dehydration. Deep weekly soaking is needed, especially if rainfall is lacking.
-
Sun protection – In intense sunlight, new growth can suffer sunscalding damage. Provide shade screens if newly planted.
-
Shelter from wind – New shoots are flexible and can easily break in strong wind gusts. Stake trees if needed.
-
Pest monitoring – Insects like spruce mites, adelgids, and sawfly larvae feed heavily on fresh new growth. Watch for infestations.
-
Disease prevention – New needles are highly susceptible to fungal needle diseases. Improve air flow and restrict overhead watering.
-
Nutrient boost – Fertilizing with nitrogen in early spring helps maximize new shoot growth. Avoid late summer feeding.
-
Delay pruning – Try not to prune until new growth has hardened off to avoid creating entry points for pests and diseases.
Significance of New Growth on Blue Spruce Health
The abundance of new growth each spring directly correlates with the vigor and health of blue spruce trees. Here are some key indicators:
-
Volume of new growth – Trees with dense new shoots and needles are robust. Lack of new growth indicates low vigor.
-
New shoot length – Long new shoots, averaging 2-5 inches, signal strength. Slow growing shoots under 1 inch indicate stress or decline.
-
Needle color – Yellow new needles mean nutrient deficiency. Brown tips are sunscald. Wilting or spotting shows disease. Healthy new growth has vibrant green needles.
-
Bud formation – Look for plentiful new buds forming on new shoots by early summer. This forecasts next year’s new foliage. Lack of new buds may indicate a problem.
-
Resilience after damage – If new growth is lost to late frost or physical injury, healthy trees will flush a secondary set of new shoots. Weak trees struggle to recover.
New Growth Pruning Tips for Blue Spruce
Pruning blue spruce requires a light, careful hand when dealing with new growth. Follow these guidelines:
-
Avoid shearing new growth – Allow new shoots to elongate into their natural form without aggressive pruning.
-
Prune lightly – Remove no more than 1/3 of the new shoot length. Heavy pruning overstimulates dense growth prone to disease.
-
Time it right – For structural pruning, wait until new shoots have hardened off, usually by early to mid summer.
-
Maintain vigor – Keep pruning minimal to sustain adequate new growth. Excessive pruning gradually depletes reserves.
-
Shape strategically – Concentrate pruning on areas like the lower canopy to encourage vigor where it’s wanted. Remove competing leaders.
-
Cut properly – Always make clean cuts just above a node, angled away from the nearest bud. Avoid leaving stubs.
Enjoying the New Foliage Display
The spring show of new green growth is an annual phenomenon to look forward to on blue spruce trees. Take time to appreciate this fresh foliage before it matures and darkens.
With proper care focused on the fragile new shoots and needles, blue spruce will continue to grace gardens with its signature colors and beauty through the seasons.
Planting the Most Beautiful Blue Spruce Trees! // Garden Answer
FAQ
What does new growth on a spruce tree look like?
What are the strange growths on my spruce?
Will blue spruce grow new branches?
What does a diseased blue spruce look like?
How long does it take a blue spruce tree to grow?
You can do this in spring. The baby blue spruce tree can propagate through cuttings taken in mid-summer to plant in fall. Nonetheless, the cuttings take a while to root, about three months, and you need to use a rooting hormone. Also, grow cuttings in a humid and cool environment for success.
Do blue spruce trees grow together?
Too often, blue spruce trees are planted close together to give an instant green border. As the trees grow, they begin to crowd each other and are competing for resources. A mature blue spruce has a width of 20 feet. Unfortunately, this is seldom considered when trees are planted in a row.
Do baby blue spruce trees grow well?
Baby blue spruce trees (Picea pungens “Baby Blue”) are a popular choice for home landscapes due to their vibrant blue foliage and compact size. To ensure the best possible growth and health of these trees, it is important to provide them with the proper soil conditions and amendments. Firstly, baby blue spruce trees thrive in well-draining soil.
How big does a blue spruce tree get?
Colorado blue spruce, also called blue spruce, is a coniferous evergreen tree in the pine family with sharp, short needles, a pyramid shape with silvery-blue foliage color, and commonly used as a Christmas tree. It grows slowly, averaging about 60 feet tall, although some can grow up to 75 feet.