Three Tips To Help You Care For Your Blue Spruce Tree
Posted on: 9 June 2015
Tall, stately, and known for their bluish-green needles, blue spruce trees add a year-long splash of vibrancy to a landscape. They are not the most demanding of evergreen trees, but they do require some specific care in order to thrive. If you have blue spruces on your property, follow these simple care tips to ensure they stay strong and healthy for years to come.
Mulch around your tree on a regular basis.
Spruce trees require a lot of moisture in order to thrive. One way to make sure their roots don't get too dry is to mulch around the tree. The mulch traps the moisture in the soil, preventing it from evaporating too quickly.
Choose a quality wood mulch, avoiding those that are sprayed with dyes and chemicals and opting instead for organic bark or wood chip mulches. Apply a 2 – 3-inch layer of mulch, and make sure it is not placed directly against the tree trunk, since this can trap moisture on the trunk and encourage fungal growth. As the mulch breaks down, add another thin layer every few months to keep its moisture-trapping abilities high.
Watch for signs of insect infestations.
There are several types of beetles and spiders that can take up residence in spruce trees and weaken their bark by feeding on it. If you see nibble marks on needles, sores on the tree's trunk, or shriveled ends of twigs, call a tree care expert. He or she can determine what type of insects are bothering your tree and possibly spray it with pesticides to keep them away. Keeping wood from other trees off of your property will help you avoid spreading such insects to your spruce trees.
Maintain a good drainage system.
As much as spruce trees like moist soil, they will not thrive in water-logged soil, as their roots will drown and eventually rot away. Thus, it's essential to keep the soil around your spruce well drained. If you notice that water is pooling in this area, dig a small drainage ditch or two to shuttle the water away to other areas of your yard. If the drainage problem is substantial, you may wish to have a landscaping expert adjust the topography of your land so that it drains better in general, since most other trees on your land are not likely to tolerate flooding, either.
Blue spruces tend to live for between 40 and 60 years in landscaping, but they live much longer in the wild. By following the tips above, you can ensure your tree's lifespan is on the higher end of that range, allowing future generations to enjoy its beauty. For more tips on tree care, contact a local tree service like Yarnell Tree Co Inc.
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