Blue Spruce

[VAFisher]

I bought this tree from Andy Smith last year. The trunk and the bark are what drew me to the tree but it has some design challenges. I would love to get some thoughts from some of the experienced Spruce people on how they would approach this tree. Especially, the problem area in the upper right of the tree.

Here's the tree at the current planting angle.


I've been considering what it would look like standing more upright.


Close up of the problematic area at the top right.



And looking in from the right side at that area.



My inclination is that the fat upright branch at the back has to go. I've reduced it a lot in preparation for that but haven't done the deed. I'm also not totally enamored with the straightness of the branch in front of it but I think I can hide that with foliage and making it shorter.

How would you approach this tree? Do you think it would benefit from grafting some additional branches on it? Or leave it sparse to make the trunk the primary focus? Would you plant it more upright and lose that back branch?

 

[sorce]

If it does well till the end of the year Is consider removing the heavy piece in the top.

It'll grow out nice this.

Sorce

 

[Paradox]

when was this cut back? Ive got a spruce that Id like to develup but need this sort of treatment I think. I never realised they could take such a drastic cut back like this

 

[Wilson]

Personally I would just want to build up strength in the tree, then start thinking about redirecting energy. Seems like it is very sparse for now, so no rush to cut off more.

 

[VAFisher]

when was this cut back? Ive got a spruce that Id like to develup but need this sort of treatment I think. I never realised they could take such a drastic cut back like this

I haven't given it a drastic cutback. I've shortened the heavy branch near the top of the tree but thats about it.

 

[VAFisher]

Personally I would just want to build up strength in the tree, then start thinking about redirecting energy. Seems like it is very sparse for now, so no rush to cut off more.

No rush at all. Just planning and thinking about the future. Its sparse but seems to be budding out pretty strong.

 

[B.uneasy]

wish mine looked so healthy!

 

[just.wing.it]

I wouldn't worry about the branch situation right now, but I would consider what it would look like with the trunk perfectly vertical.

 

[just.wing.it]

As for that second trunk....
I think with enough growth, you may be able to make it usable in the design. Otherwise I would consider jinning it.

 

[Hartinez]

Looks awfully healthy to me. And personally, I think you could leave it slanted and wire the branches this fall. I wouldn’t remove much, if any. But placing the branches where desired sooner than later is a smart move in spruce, IMO. It takes so long for them to set that the sooner the better!

 

[Djtommy]

While not exactly similar, maybe you can get some styling idea out of this tree

 

[Paradox]

I haven't given it a drastic cutback. I've shortened the heavy branch near the top of the tree but thats about it.

Maybe you didnt do it, but somebody cut it back based on the 5 branch stubs on it.
Reason I ask is I am not sure of their back budding behavior with drastic cutback.

 

[VAFisher]

Maybe you didnt do it, but somebody cut it back based on the 5 branch stubs on it.
Reason I ask is I am not sure of their back budding behavior with drastic cutback.

Ah, yes now I understand what you mean. I slightly shortened a couple and cut some deadwood off the ends of a couple. Nothing that I would describe as drastic though. That said I think they backbud pretty well. This is my only blue spruce but I've worked with Black Hills Spruce for a few years now and they can take a pretty good cutback in my experience

 

[VAFisher]

Here's a quick shot of some back buds on this tree coming from old wood near the trunk.

 

[VAFisher]

Update on my Colorado Spruce. I repotted it into this container that was deep enough to allow me to get the trunk more or less vertical. I like it much better at this angle.



It budded pretty strong this spring. I still haven't done any real "styling" on this tree with the exception of removing some unwanted stuff. Hopefully that little shoot at the top takes off and allows me to build an apex out of it.

 

[just.wing.it]

Killer!

 

[Adair M]

Update on my Colorado Spruce. I repotted it into this container that was deep enough to allow me to get the trunk more or less vertical. I like it much better at this angle.

View attachment 375327

 

[VAFisher]

@Adair M, I don't see your comment?

 

[Hartinez]

When you refer to the problem area, are talking about the thickest branch with an upward angle? Unlike the rest of the branching that angles down.

 

[VAFisher]

When you refer to the problem area, are talking about the thickest branch with an upward angle? Unlike the rest of the branching that angles down.

Yes, that thick upward angled branch that comes off the back. I've partially jinned it for now.