Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Will It Work?, 0 by Resin

Resin wrote:

HoosierGreen wrote:Unless you use a "dwarf" cultivar (like P. glauca 'Conica' a.k.a. Dwarf Alberta Spruce) of Picea glauca, the species averages 40-60' in height and 10-20' in width.

I'd not call that too tall for the space, particularly as it is a fairly slow grower, it'd take maybe 40-50 years to get that size. Of course, perceptions of 'but can grow tall' are relative - for me, a tall tree is 40-60 metres ;-)

HoosierGreen wrote:Also, I've found that with the gradual warming and resultant zone changing in this country, White Spruces are suffering in the southern limits of their range, Zones 5 and 6, with major dieback, disease, and insect infestations (red spider and bagworms especially) that were minor problems up to a few years ago.

sherriseden wrote:I thought it would be OK because I'm about 30 miles south of the edge of its distribution area.

That's a more serious worry - it'd be worth trying to find out why it isn't native where you are, particularly with climate change moving things north, rather than south. I remember reading somewhere, the southern limit of several of the boreal conifers is due to soil conditions, they are not adapted to the lime-rich soils which occur widely just south of their native ranges. If you have alkaline soil, White Spruce won't do well. Maybe try a lime-adapted spruce like Picea omorika (Serbian Spruce) instead.

Resin

PS here's what I call a tall tree . . .