Species brewer's spruce
Pyramidal-shape tree with blue-green foliage

brewer's spruce

Picea breweriana

Brewer's spruce (Picea breweriana) is a species of evergreen tree native to North America. It is a medium-sized tree reaching up to 65 feet in height with a conical form, and noted for its bluish-green needles that appear slightly twisted and upturned. Its bark is shreddy and reddish-grey in color. This species is often found in moist mountain forests and is wind, drought, and cold hardy. It is a popular choice for landscape plantings, due to its graceful form, attractive foliage, and resilience to many environmental factors.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 8

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Brewer's spruce (Picea breweriana) should be watered thoroughly once a week, making sure to moisten the soil down to a depth of 6-8 inches. Aim to apply 1-2 inches of water each time. If the soil feels slightly moist below the surface, additional watering may not be necessary. During the summer months, watering more frequently may be beneficial if the weather is very hot and dry. However, it's important to avoid overwatering, as this could lead to root rot.

sunlight

Brewer's spruce, also known as the Caucasian spruce, is a plant species native to western and central parts of Russia. It requires full sun in order to thrive. For optimal growth, this species needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. During the summer, when the days are longer, they should suitable receive 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight. In winter, when the days are shorter, they should receive at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. This plant prefers cooler temperatures and should be protected from intense heat during full sun periods.

pruning

Brewer's spruce can be pruned in late winter while the plant is still dormant. This will help to ensure the plant recovers quickly and can begin to form new growth as spring approaches. The amount of pruning required will largely depend on the size of the plant and desired appearance, but generally, up to 1 fourth of the plant can safely be removed. Avoid removing large side branches near the trunk, as this can create an imbalance in the structure of the tree and reduce resistance to wind. Pruning should focus primarily on the removal of dead, damaged, or crossing branches.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Brewer's spruce typically starts flowering in late April or early May.

Hardiness Map