white spruce

White Spruce (Picea glauca) should be watered deeply once a week, supplying the root system with about an inch of water each time. Watering should be done in the morning, allowing the foliage to dry out during the day, reducing the risk of fungus or disease. If the soil is very dry, more water may be necessary. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly before watering again. In the winter months, water needs may be reduced to every 2 or 3 weeks. In high temperatures, however, it may be necessary to water twice a week.

White spruce, a plant species commonly found in colder climates, requires ample amounts of sunlight in order to thrive and reach its full potential. Direct sunlight should be available for roughly 8 to 10 hours per day, and in environments where temperatures plummet in the colder months, its important to make sure the sun is still able to penetrate the tree’s needles and reach into its crown. Planting the tree in a south-facing direction can help ensure it has enough sunlight available. During summer months, it’s best that white spruce get direct sunlight during the early morning hours (7am-10am) and the late afternoon hours (4pm-7pm). In winter months, however, it will need at least 2 full hours of direct sunlight in the middle of the day (11am-1pm) to stay healthy.

White spruce (Picea glauca) is best pruned at the end of winter, or early spring, before growth begins. Pruning during late spring or summer can cause stress to the plant and is not recommended. Pruning should be done to remove dead, diseased, or interfering branches and should be light. If you want to shape the plant, take no more than 1-third of the growth. Excessive pruning can lead to permanent damage and poor growth of the shrub.