Help wuth Spruce

[one_bonsai]

I'm new to Spruces. Should I remove the new shoots at the end of the branch to promote back-budding?

 

[PowerTap]

I'd let it grow all summer and cut back to buds that you see forming for next year. I cut back my dwarf Alberta way to early and it didn't back bud this year.

 

[defra]

Ive notice on some of my spruce they Will backbud anywere as long as the light gets there.
Ofcourse cutting back at the right time stimulates more backbudding but make sure its healthy before doing so i am not familiar with your climate etc and being in the Netherlands im sure the right time for you difference from mine haha

 

[sorce]

I'd cut it back to the first branch with a good apical bud. Probably that left one. Probably not for a month or two.

Sorce

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I would let it grow until late summer, then prun back to buds. If you don't see a bud on the branch, you can loose a branch if all it has is a few needles. It needs an already formed bud to cut back to. No buds, often the branch will die.

Corollary: Growth out at the ends of branches causes buds to form in the interior. You need growth to get back buds. Let it grow, then cut back.