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30 - 60 (feet)

10 - 20 (feet)

Dense, symmetrical, pyramidal form; needles bluish; blue needled seedlings are selected in the nursery when young; many cultivars come from these selections; hardier than green needled types in south central.

Large newly planted trees often slow to get established; susceptible to spruce budworms and spider mites; needles sharp to the touch; pesticides and anti-transpirants dissolve bluish color; needles on newly planted trees turn purplish-brown when dry and under stress. Does not do well near busy roadways or in southeast Alaska; often dies to snowline in the interior.

SC (Zone 3)

Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming.

‘Argentea’ Colorado silver spruce; silvery white. ‘Hoopsii’ Dense growth; pyramidal form; very blue-white color; 40' x 15'.; ‘Koster’ Koster blue spruce; somewhat irregular in habit; silver-blue color. Weeping cultivars available. See entry under Evergreen Shrubs.