Columnar Blue Spruce

Picea pungens 'Fastigiata'

Columnar Blue Spruce is a narrow, upright evergreen with the classic blue-gray needles of the traditional Colorado Blue Spruce but in a more compact, vertical form. It is an excellent choice for windbreaks, privacy screens, and small spaces, and it thrives in cold, dry prairie climates (Zone 3), making it well-suited for Southwest Saskatchewan.

Planting & Location

• Hardiness Zone: 2-7 (extremely cold-hardy)
• Mature Size: 20-30 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate (6-12 inches per year)
• Sunlight Needs: Full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight per day)
• Soil Preference:
  • Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soil.
  • Tolerates rocky, dry, or poor soils.
  • Performs best in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.5).
  • Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged soil—spruces dislike "wet feet."
• Spacing:
  • 6-8 feet apart for a dense windbreak or privacy screen.
  • 10+ feet apart for individual specimen trees.

Watering

• Young Trees (First 2-3 Years): Deep water once per week to encourage root establishment.
• Established Trees: Drought-tolerant but benefits from deep watering every 2-3 weeks in dry periods.
• Winter Watering: If fall is dry, provide one last deep watering before the ground freezes.

Fertilizing

• First Year: No fertilizer needed—focus on root establishment.
• Mature Trees:
  • Apply a slow-release evergreen fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 12-6-6) in early spring.
  • Organic alternative: Compost or aged manure as mulch in spring.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Best Time to Prune: Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts.
• How to Prune:
  • Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches.
  • Maintain a strong central leader—do not top the tree.
  • Trim back side branches lightly if needed to maintain a tight, columnar shape.
  • Avoid heavy pruning, as spruces do not regenerate from old wood.

Pest & Disease Management

Common Pests:

• Spruce Spider Mites – Can cause needle discoloration.
  • Solution: Hose off with water or use insecticidal soap.
• Aphids – Can cause needle drop.
  • Solution: Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
• Sawflies – Chew on needles.
  • Solution: Hand-pick larvae or use insecticidal soap.

Common Diseases:

• Cytospora Canker – Causes branch dieback with resin oozing from the trunk.
  • Solution: Prune infected areas and improve tree health.
• Rhizosphaera Needle Cast – Causes needles to brown and drop.
  • Solution: Ensure good air circulation and apply fungicide if needed.
• Root Rot (Phytophthora, Armillaria) – Occurs in waterlogged soils.
  • Solution: Plant in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering.

Winter Protection

• Young Trees:
  • Protect from winter sunscald and drying winds by wrapping trunks with burlap or tree guards.
• Mulching:
  • Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base to insulate roots from extreme cold.
• Deer & Rodents:
  • Deer-resistant, but young trees may need protection from rabbits and voles in winter.

Landscape Uses

Ideal for narrow spaces and small yards
Great windbreak, privacy screen, or focal point
Low-maintenance and drought-resistant once established
Retains its blue color year-round
Deer-resistant and cold-hardy

Additional Notes:

• Columnar Blue Spruce is an excellent alternative to larger evergreens when space is limited.
• Lifespan: Can live 50+ years with proper care.
• Works well in formal landscapes, mixed borders, and modern gardens.

Photo courtesy of Foothills Nursery