2 Pruning ?'s-Fat Albert Blue Spruce & Dwarf Alberta Spruce

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lengels Woodstock, IL Mar 17, 2007

2 questions on pruning. We are zone 5, Chicago.

1st question. We have a 1 year old Fat Albert Blue Spruce, ( Picea pungens 'Fat Albert') planted last spring. It's about 2' high. Does it need any pruning?

2nd question. We have 2 Dwarf Alberta Spruces, (Picea glauca 'Conica') planted fall of 2005. There are a few spots where the growth has caused it to lose it's conical shape. Can we prune it back to restore it's shape? And should we prune a few branches back to allow air/sun to get inside? Just small interior branches, or some of the larger ones?

Thank you.

Laurie

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shortleaf suburban K.C., MO(Zone 6a) Mar 17, 2007

I wouldn't prune the Fat Albert. Thats what they are, they are blue and they are fat. Whatever you do, don't cut off the lower branches of Fat Albert, maybe just the very bottom layer, thats piled on the ground, someday.
The Dwarf Alberta Spruce can take a pruning, just not a butchering. Its tempting to go overboard with pruners and just start whacking away. Take your time and prune a little and stand back and look at it, to be sure its going how you want it, and still bushy-pointed, vertical and symmetrical all around. Because branches and foliage don't grow back fast like hair. If its a deep hard pruning into the hardwood, it doesn't grow back at all.
Dwarf Alberta Spruce is used as a topiary, I've seen photos. A neighbor of mine has her's pruned into the shape of a missile (well, without the fins), it looks good, but I wouldn't go that far, too risky.
Will

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