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