Dwarf Alberta Spruce Tree Information

A: Dwarf Alberta spruces are dwarf, in comparison to regular spruces like the blue spruce or Norway spruce.

They only grow 2-4" a year, and remain quite tight and conical.

The height at maturity listed in catalogs and other sources is usually 6-8'.

However, the largest dwarf Alberta spruces that I have seen were about 15-16' tall and a good 8' wide at the base, which is extremely large for this plant.

These particular specimens were probably 40-50 years old, so we know they can live at least this long.

So, if you're looking for a slow-growing, tightly-formed, conical evergreen for a fairly sunny area, this would be the plant of choice.

A: Dwarf Alberta spruces are usually best used as an accent or "focal point" plant, that is, as ornamentals within a bed of flowers and/or shrubs.

I would refrain from planting one in the middle of the yard, as it may be subjected to physical damage from mowers or play activities.

It's best to plant it in a protected area, out of harm's way. Make sure it receives at least a few hours of good sunlight each day wherever you end up planting it.

The top of the root ball should be slightly above grade when done, and an inch or two of mulch on top (but keep the mulch away from the trunk a couple of inches).

When you dig the hole, it should be twice as wide as the root ball, to give the roots extra room to grow out from the ball, and slightly shallower than the root ball. Chop up the backfill well, and place it firmly (but not too compactly) back around the root ball.

Give it a drink before placing the mulch on top, then water once a week, especially during dry spells.

Since you have 2 plants, you might plant one at each end of a bed to act as "bookends", and then plant some interesting flowers in between them.

A: Alberta spruces can be trimmed, but since they grow so slowly (only 2-4" per year, maybe), they usually do not require much pruning, if any.

If they must be pruned because they are nearing some obstacle (the house, for instance), prune as little as possible. Since they do grow so slowly, they do not fill in bare spots very well, if at all.

Be as judicious as possible, and only snip an inch or so back. If you prune too far back you'll prune into non-productive wood, and that branch will die back to its parent.

If this happens, you may develop a large opening that may never fill in again.

Do not use hedge shears.

This will only produce tufty growth on the ends, and you'll actually end up with more than what you started with.

Use a good pair of scissors-type hand pruners small enough to make good clean cuts.

Q: I read that Dwarf Alberta Spruce like full sun. Will one survive that will only get some morning sun and be in shade the rest of the day? Lynn

A: I've seen dwarf Alberta spruces in fairly shady conditions that were doing fine, but they weren't as full as when they get plenty of sun.

Morning sun should be adequate to sustain the plant, it just may be a bit sparser than normal.

If the front of your house faces north, the sides toward the house may thin out even more due to less sunlight.

If so, try to plant yours further from the house to allow sunlight to "bounce" its way in. This may help keep it fuller.

A:I would imagine that you could grow your Alberta spruce in a container just fine.

I don't think you'll have to "garage" the tree for winter as dwarf Albertas are hardy down to Zone 2 (average minimum temperate of -40 to -50 Fahrenheit). I know Fairbanks is in Zone 2, so you should be safe in this respect.

As for the soil mix, any good, friable soil that allows maximum root growth is fine.

You could use regular topsoil mixed with some potting soil and/or peat, just to mix it up a bit. Be sure to use a container that allows for future growth, both above and below ground.

As for winter time, I would do everything possible to protect the sides of the container from sub-freezing temperatures.

The root system of a containerized plant is vulnerable to cold from ALL directions, not just from above. Therefore, the soil (and roots) can freeze solid if the container is left unprotected, which can spell the demise of the plant.

There are many ways to accomplish this. You could half bury the container and then mulch the rest of the way up and a little over the top. This will moderate the temperate exposure.

You could also place the container out of the wind, like in an unheated building, and just mulch all the way up the sides of the container for a little extra root protection.

Fiberglas insulation wrapped around the container will also work.