Blue spruce like this?

19 years ago

Today I noticed a blue spruce here in Winchester that is especially beautiful. I am wondering if any of you has seen any like it, and if, by some odd chance, anyone has ever propagated something like this as a cultivar.

This tree is obviously from a seedling--it is one of a screen of blue spruce that includes about 20 trees, all different in shade of blue and other characteristics.

OK, here is a description--sorry, yes I know, I have to get up to get a digital camera, etc.

The remarkable thing about this tree is the very, very good blue color on this year's needles--not that far from my Hoopsi--combined with a real nice grass-green on the older foliage. Of course many blue spruce have a blue that fades to a kind of green after a year or two, but the remarkable thing about this tree is that the foliage from last year is such a bright green. I find the effect really stunning, although in a way that some people may find a bit subtle. But for me this tree is really, really stunning and beautiful.

Oh, and an important aspect of this color effect is that the foliage has a rather pronounced weeping characteristic, which results in the beautiful fresh green of the older foliage being more visible than it would be if the foliage were less drooping.

Also, it is now late August. I am not sure if this color effect is as pronounced at other times of year. I will keep my eye on it and see what it looks like in the winter and spring.

The particular tree I am describing is not a fast grower--it is among the smaller of the trees in this 20 tree or so screen.

Well, do any of you have any thoughts, reactions, information about any blue spruce you may have seen or know of like this.

I suppose I could have some one graft this tree for me, but I once had a special Norway spruce grafted--actually twice--and got nothing like the tree I took the cuttings from. So, if I had this tree grafted, what are the chances I would get what I want??

--Spruce

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Comments (8)

dcsteg
19 years ago
This spruce sounds so good that I think a photo is in order.

That would be my first thought.

Dave
spruceman
Original Author
19 years ago
Dave:

Yes, I must get going and learn digital photog, etc. One could say, "Sprucey, if you think you are a full member of these forums, you are not--you can't be a full participant unless you can post photos."

When I do get the camera and the know how, I will have a lot of "catching up" to do. I have all kinds of trees I want to photograph and post.

Without a photo, I can't really interest anyone in this tree. And if it should be propagated, that would be a shame. I had bad luck with my prior spruce selection for grafting, but I may just try this one and see what it looks like.

I guess one concern would be if this characteristic of having the fresh growth so blue, and the older growth so green, along with the weeping habit, is "stable," or whatever the term would be, across soils/climates, etc. Anyway, for anyone with a really good sense of color, this tree, I think, would be simply gorgeous.

--Spruce
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dcsteg
19 years ago
Yep,a photo is worth A 1000 words. I picked up digital photography 2 years ago. Knew absolutely nothing about it. Not at all hard to learn and post photos especially with photobucket.
Once you pick it up, with your back ground in conifers, you will never put the camera down.

I am waiting for the first photo.

Dave
tcharles26
19 years ago
With respect to digital cameras, there is nothing to pick up really. Obviously you can use a computer so you're more than half way there.

You just point camera, push button, then connect camera to computer (generally through whats called a USB port using a special wire that comes with the camera) and the software you install on the computer does pretty much everything else.

I know nothing about taking pictures and our digital camera is several years old and wasn't even 'top of the line' then. I get some decent pictures. Even a bargain basement camera is better than a very nice one several years ago. You sound like a smart guy - don't be intimidated - it's very easy. Good luck.
conifers
19 years ago
Spruce, time to get your email established to Garden Web as well. There's been many a time when I commented that I couldn't speak to you directly. This would allow for all of us to distribute scionwood, help with anything for that matter as well.

I'll be interested in scionwood this winter. Please remember me. My email and I'd appreciate it if you contact me is:

conifers@mchsi.com

Thanks and congrats on the find. It does sound great. I've been intending to post for several days.

Thanks,

Dax
spruceman
Original Author
19 years ago
Dax:

I think I fixed my profile. Let me know if you can get my e-mail there. I got to run now, but will send an e-mail and we can discuss when and how to collect scionwood from this tree--or any others I may have access to.

--Spruce
conifers
19 years ago
That's tight, but I didn't get the email.

Keep sending em!

My new one in a month or whenever is:
conifers@frontiernet.net

We'll get it dialed in and I appreciate it by the way.

Dax
conifers
19 years ago
I got your email, thanks.

Dax