Colorado Spruce

The Colorado spruce (also known as Picea pungens or blue spruce) is a popular evergreen tree known for its striking bluish foliage, symmetrical shape, and hardiness. Here's an overview of what makes it special

• Height: Typically 30–60 feet tall in landscapes; up to 75+ feet in the wild.
• Spread: 10–20 feet wide.
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate (around 12–24 inches per year).
• Lifespan: Can live up to 200 years in ideal conditions
• Color: Blue-green to silvery-blue needles (the more blue, the more desirable for landscaping).
• Texture: Stiff and sharp needles, around 1–1.5 inches long.
• Sun: Full sun (at least 6 hours per day).
• Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil; tolerant of a variety of soil types including clay.
• USDA Zones: 2–7.
• Watering: Needs regular watering when young; drought-tolerant once established.
• Pruning: Rarely needed, but can be lightly shaped in late winter..
• Ornamental landscaping (especially for its blue color).
• Windbreaks or privacy screens.

Photo courtesy of Famartin