Colorado Blue Spruce

Attributes:
The Colorado Blue Spruce tree is one of our most popular ornamental conifers. It has many attributes that make it suitable for yards: magnificent color, conical shape when young, adaptability to soil conditions, and a root system that makes it more wind firm than any other western Spruce. It is an excellent border tree that provides year 'round screening as well as a protective summertime nesting opportunity for many songbirds.

Wildlife Value:
The Colorado Blue Spruce provides food and shelter for siskins, nuthatches, and crossbills. Browsers such as deer will often eat the foliage.

History/Lore/Use:
The Colorado Blue Spruce tree is such a delight that nature seems to have kept it a well-guarded secret for a very long time. It was not until 1862 that this spectacular species was discovered growing in the enchanted meadows and stream sides of the high Rocky Mountains. Once found, the fame of the Blue Spruce spread quickly and today it is one of our most widely planted landscape trees. When writing in "Handbook on Conifers" in 1969, Henry Tuescher, curator emeritus of the Montreal Botanical Garden, called the Colorado Blue Spruce tree one of the five finest conifers. Tuescher gave no reasons for this honor except for the tree's exceptional beauty.

Moisture:
Requires normal moisture with moderate tolerance to flooding and drought.

Leaves:
The needles are stiff, prickly and about 1 to 1-1/2 inches in length. They surround the branch at nearly right angles and are usually silvery to blue-green, but occasionally the blue is absent.

Flower Color:
Green; orange; purple; nondescript.

Bloom Time:
April-May.

Fruit Description:
Light brown, 3 to 4 inch cones which hang downward on the branches and are concentrated in the upper crown.