Germantown, MD.
How to Prune Overgrown Blue Spruce Shrubs. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Use the correct tool for the size of the branch you’ll be removing from the shrub. For example, use hand pruning shears for branches smaller than 3/4 inch in diameter and use lopping shears for branches up to 1 1/12 inches in diameter.
While many people prune shrubs for the overall health of the plant, many gardeners also prune their spruce shrubs. The blue spruce tree's slow growth makes it mostly intolerant to heavy pruning.
In order to promote a positive response, the blue spruce must have enough time to repair itself before entering its dormant period. Always complete this tree's pruning during the late winter or early spring months, just before the onset of its growing season.
Improper Tree Trimming in Silver Spring, MD. June 4, – This tree in Silver Spring, MD is a great example of poor tree pruning practice. Topping is not an industry acceptable practice. Contractors who engage in this work are performing arboriculture malpractice.
Topping weakens the tree and can contribute to its demise. Jul 21, The blue spruce, also known as the Colorado blue spruce, can reach heights up to 85 feet with a crown width of up to 30 feet.
If you must prune a dwarf blue spruce, do so during winter when the tree experiences less growth. Remove dead wood only if it poses a threat. Look at the Colorado blue spruce tree (Picea pungens) from all angles during the year. If you see any dead, damaged or diseased branches, prune them off regardless of what season it is.
Remove dead twigs or branches back to a point where the tissue is alive, such as among needles, just above a branch junction or flush with the main tree trunk. Blue spruces do not need pruning, especially when it comes to conical varieties. They grow in fairly correct shape and look great. However, there are cases when it makes sense to prune these plants. The first is when spruces grow to large sizes and interfere with movement. There are two options. Oct 01, If you just want to shape your dwarf spruce, or if your tree is young and you want to trim it to keep it small, then you can prune with a good amount of success.
Taking care not to cut into the dead zone, cut back any branches that extend beyond the tree’s conical shape. Remove ½ to 1 inch (up to cm.) of growth at the tips of the lateral.