Several varieties of evergreen spruce tree (Pinaceae) are blue, including the Colorado blue spruce, Koster blue spruce, the hoopsii and the weeping blue spruce. Blue spruce trees grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 8 and require very little care. They can grow in parts of USDA zone 9, as well, as long as they are within a microclimate where winter temperatures do not stay too mild. Like other evergreens, blue spruce is best planted in the winter when growth is slower but will tolerate planting at any time during the year. Yearling blue spruce trees are available as bare root trees, in containers and burlapped, all of which require slightly varied planting techniques.
Remove the packing material from the roots of bare root trees and soak the roots in a bucket of water for at least three to six hours before planting. The roots can be left to soak overnight, if desired.
Clear away any grass or weeds within a 3-foot circular area at the planting site as these will compete with the young tree for nutrients.
Dig the planting hole. For bare root trees, make the hole wide and deep enough to comfortably accommodate the plant’s roots. The hole for container plants should be the same depth as the container but two or three times wider. Plant balled-and-burlapped -- also known as B&B -- trees in a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball. When planting container and B&B trees, leave a plateau of undisturbed soil at the bottom of the planting hole so that the bottom of the root ball sits about 2 inches above the bottom of the planting hole. Create a small mound of soil in the middle of the hole for bare root trees.
Place bare root trees into the planting hole and gently spread the roots down over the soil mound. Spread the roots of container plants over the soil plateau in the hole, gently spreading the roots apart. If the roots are too tightly wound to spread, try spraying the bottom of the root ball with water or cutting an "X” across the bottom of the root ball first. Place B&B trees onto the soil plateau in the middle of the hole after removing any twine or wires.
Pull the burlap away from the top of the root ball when planting a B&B tree. Folding the burlap down until half of the root ball is exposed is adequate; there is no need to remove it completely unless it has been chemically treated or is vinyl.
Backfill the planting hole, gently packing the soil around the tree’s roots as you go. Plant bare root trees to the same depth they were at the nursery. You will be able to tell how deeply the tree was planted before as the trunk will change color at the soil line. The top of container and B&B tree root balls should be about 2 inches above ground level after planting.
Spread mulch 2 to 4 inches deep in a 3-foot diameter around the tree. Make sure that the mulch does not actually touch the trunk of the tree.
Water the tree thoroughly immediately after planting.
Things You Will Need
- Pruning shears
- Tiller (optional)
- Trim away any diseased or damaged roots with pruning shears before planting as well as any that completely encircle the root ball.
- Never add fertilizer to the planting hole as it can damage the tree’s roots.
- Tilling the area around the planting site will make digging the planting hole much easier.
- Always carry your young tree by supporting the bottom of the root ball or container. Do not carry unplanted trees by the trunk.
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