I'd consider Picea punges 'Fastigiata' as a possibility. It is a narrowly columnar form and should be well suited to your growing conditions (alkalinity, periodic dry soils). But it is pretty slow growing. Another possibility is Picea abies 'Cupressina'. Somewhat faster growing.

Hi! I really like both of these and will look for them! I've been told that blue spruce does not do well here and we do have one at the front of the home that has lost many of its bottom needles (the home came landscaped in front so I'm not sure of the care that the trees received as most are not doing well). Any ideas of something even more compact? in the 3-5' range?

you better be looking for mail order sources.. for fastigata ...

you may get lucky locally .. or not ...

here in MI ... after about 10 years.. my fastigata took heavy.. and repeated .... heavy snow load...

needless to say .. its not quite as fastigata as it used to be ...

there is a conifer forum ... in case you care to ask other places ...

ken

thanks ken - I was wondering where I should get these trees because I can't find many options at local nurseries aside from arborvitae and juniper and thanks for sharing your experience. I would definitely like something that stays relatively compact! I will try the conifer forum as well.