oriental spruce

Oriental spruce requires moderate to high levels of watering, so the watering schedule will depend on the individual needs of the specific spruce tree. In general, young plants should be watered regularly, approximately once every 10-14 days. It's best to water in the morning or early afternoon so that the sun can help dry off the soil and needles before nightfall. Watering should be adjusted depending on weather conditions, as the plant may need more during hot and dry periods. For mature spruces, it's important not to over water, as this can lead to root rot. A good rule of thumb is to let the soil dry out between waterings, and then only water deeply once every 10-14 days.

Oriental spruce trees need full sun to partial shade. They prefer at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day for their prime growth. During the summer, eastern and northern exposures are best, especially in warmer climates. In cooler climates or in warmer summer months, a western or southern exposure will provide more shade.

Pruning an Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis 'Instar'), or any evergreen conifer, should be done with caution. Pruning should be conducted in the late winter to early spring when the tree is dormant and there is no danger of stressing it. Pruning should be done selectively, removing only dead, diseased, or straggly growth. A tree's natural shape should always be taken into account when pruning, never removing too many branches or removing branches that give the tree its general character. The overall goal of pruning should be to create a strong, healthy tree. Pruning should be limited to no more than 25% of the overall crown volume.