How to Grow Blue Spruce Tree - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Blue spruce tree is an evergreen coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to the Rocky Mountains of North America and can grow to over 40 m tall. The blue spruce has a dense, pyramid-shaped crown and blue-green needles. The bark is thin and scaly, and the leaves are arranged in spiral fashion on the branches. The cones are 3–5 cm long and have sharp, downward-pointing scales.

How to Grow Blue Spruce Tree - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • White spruce
  • Black spruce
  • Norway spruce
  • Sitka spruce
  • Douglas fir

Good to Know

  • Blue spruce tree is an evergreen conifer that is native to North America.
  • It has a pyramidal shape with a dense canopy of blue-green needles.
  • The blue spruce is a popular Christmas tree because of its lovely color and fragrance.
  • The tree can grow up to 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
  • The needles are 3-5 inches long and have a sharp point.
  • The blue spruce tree has good drought tolerance once it is established.
  • It prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade.
  • The tree is relatively pest and disease resistant.
  • It is not tolerant of salt and should not be planted near the ocean.
  • The blue spruce tree has a slow growth rate.

Related plant:
Buddleja Davidii Nanho Blue

How to Grow

  1. For blue spruce tree, first step is to find right location. Make sure that you find the place where the tree will get enough sunlight. This tree grows best in the full sun.
  2. Then, you need to prepare the soil. The soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter.
  3. Once you have prepared the soil, you can now plant the tree. You can either plant it in a container or in the ground.
  4. Water the tree regularly. The tree needs to be watered deeply and regularly.
  5. Fertilize the tree regularly. Use a good quality fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen and other nutrients.
  6. Prune the tree regularly. This will help to keep the tree’s shape and encourage new growth.
  7. Protect the tree from diseases and pests. Use a good quality insecticide and fungicide to keep the tree healthy.
  8. Monitor the tree’s growth. Check for any signs of problems and take corrective action if necessary.
  9. Harvest the tree when it is mature. You can use the tree’s needles and cones for various purposes.
  10. Enjoy your blue spruce tree!

Related plant:
Blue Hibiscus

Soil Condition

About soil condition, blue spruce trees prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil conditions with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They are intolerant of wet, poorly drained soils. They also don't do well in very dry or chalky soils. For best growth and health, blue spruce trees need deep, fertile, moist, well-drained soils with a high organic matter content.

Light requirement

Like the other evergreens, blue spruce trees need full sun to grow and stay healthy. They will also do well in partial sun, but they may not grow as quickly or be as full. If you live in an area with hot summers, it’s best to plant your blue spruce in a spot that gets some afternoon shade.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for the blue spruce tree is cool to cold weather. They are not tolerant of heat and should be planted in an area that provides some shade during the hottest part of the day.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% and above. The Blue Spruce tree is a beautiful, hardy tree that can tolerate cold weather and high winds. It is popularly used as a Christmas tree because of its lovely blue-green needles. The Blue Spruce tree is also resistant to most pests and diseases.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, usually the plant food macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are considered. The macronutrients are required in large quantities for plant growth. The blue spruce tree is an evergreen tree that can grow to be about 60 feet tall. It has blue-green needles and dense, conical crown. The tree is native to North America and prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils.

Light requirement

Pruning blue spruce trees is an important part of their care. Pruning helps to maintain the tree's shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and improve air circulation. When pruning, always make clean, sharp cuts. Avoid pruning during the tree's active growing season, which is typically from late spring to early summer.

The Propagation

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones. Blue spruce trees can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or grafting. Seed propagation is the most common method, but it can take several years for the tree to reach maturity. Cuttings and grafting are faster methods, but they require more care and attention.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is slow to medium. A 10-year-old tree may be only 3 to 4 feet tall. But don’t let their size deceive you; these powerful evergreens can live for centuries. The oldest recorded blue spruce was 624 years old when it was cut down in 1976.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are needle cast, canker diseases, and spider mites. Needle cast is a disease that attacks the new growth of the tree, causing the needles to turn brown and fall off. Canker diseases cause the tree's bark to crack and fall off, and can eventually kill the tree. Spider mites are tiny insects that suck the sap out of the tree's leaves, causing them to turn brown and fall off.

Basics of Growing

  • Remember to water your blue spruce tree regularly, especially when the weather is hot or dry.
  • Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture.
  • Fertilize your tree every year using a balanced fertilizer.
  • Prune your tree regularly to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.
  • Protect your tree from winter damage by wrapping it with burlap or an anti-desiccant spray.
  • Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and treat them promptly if found.
  • Always plant your blue spruce tree in an area that receives full sun.
  • Be sure to plant your tree in well-draining soil.
  • When transplanting, be careful not to damage the tree's roots.
  • With proper care, your blue spruce tree will thrive and provide you with years of enjoyment.

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Source:
BLUE SPRUCE - PICEA PUNGENS | The UFOR Nursery & Lab
Blue Spruce | Yale Nature Walk
Blue Spruce - bellarmine.edu

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Trees Category