code: 5041
A truly dwarf evergreen tree that is perfect for small spaces.Only grows about 2-3 inches per year. It performs best in shade or partly shady areas.
Hardy to -30°F
Maximum Elevation: 8,000 Feet
Light
This tree performs best in full sun but will tolerate some shade.
Soil
Grow dwarf Alberta spruce in moist, well-drained soil. It does best in soil that is slightly acid to neutral in pH.
Water
Provide these trees with water when the top 3 inches of soil becomes dry. Container specimens will need more water than those planted in the landscape.
Temperature and Humidity
This tree requires good air circulation and does best in low-humidity environments. It performs best in areas with cold winters and cool summers.
Fertilizer
Young plants respond well to mixing in a granular fertilizer around the base of the tree once a year. Mature trees require no feeding.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary with dwarf Alberta spruce since it grows so slowly. Damaged branches should be removed whenever you find them. Pruning to shape them can be done in late winter or early spring when new growth starts to appear. Cut no more than 2 to 3 inches off the tips of the branches.
Propagating Dwarf Alberta Spruce
This tree can be propagated by 6-inch-long branch cuttings taken in late summer or early fall. Strip the needles from the lower two-thirds of the shoot, then plant them deep into sandy loam soil. Keep the soil moist until roots form, then transplant into a pots or a landscape location.
Landscape Uses
Dwarf Alberta spruce trees are used as specimens in landscape design. As one of the most recognizable shrub/tree types in North American landscaping, you’ll often see them used in pairs to flank the entryway to a house for a formal look that strives for balance. Because dwarf Alberta spruce trees will remain relatively small for a number of years, people sometimes treat them (at least initially) as container plants. They are sometimes trimmed into topiary forms when grown in containers.
However, be aware that these specimens will eventually outgrow a small space. It is best to avoid planting this tree in a spot that cannot comfortably accommodate what may eventually become a 10- to 13-foot tree.
Common Pests/ Diseases
Dwarf Alberta spruce trees are not very tolerant of air pollution and salt spray, and they struggle in areas with high heat and humidity. They require very little care but are often the victims of spider mite attacks that can kill the tree. A yearly preventative treatment with a pesticide may prevent this.
Information:
Mature Size (generic) : SHRUB (4-6′)
USDA Hardiness Zone : 4, 5, 6, 7
Water Needs : Moderate
Light Needs : Full Shade, Partial Shade
Growth Rate : Slow
Mature Height : 5-7 ft.
Mature Width : 2-3 ft.
Name : Dwarf Alberta Spruce
