A 3 footer will take the transplant easier.

tj

The smaller plants are cheaper and easier to plant (much smaller holes to dig!) If you have the time and this is not needed to be an instant focal point, get the smaller one. If you want immediate gratification (and there are all kinds of reasons why this may be important), get the larger one but plant it at the right time for your area and make sure to correct any root ball problems that you find. When I plant in dormancy, which is very important with a large specimen, I use a hoof pick or a bonsai tool to tease out the roots so that there are no girdling roots and so that the roots are extended away from the tree, not running around in circles. I have purchased and planted many large specimens, some extremely root bound (which accounts for their discounted price) and have no worse luck with them than with the smaller transplants.

In addition to cost and ease of planting, this White Spruce clone grows fast, at least when young. I planted mine (about 3') from a container in 2011 and it is now 15' tall. You won't have to wait long for this one to make a statement in your garden.

as a collector.. i have no clue why you need 3 of anything .. lol ..

the idea that you couldnt find two other types of weeping trees.. to keep the weeping thing going.. but to have different textures.. color.. etc .. would be much more interesting.. visually ....

one line of thought .. would be one large ... and 2 smalls ...

i would NEVER buy anything in excess of 3 to 4 feet [mostly because that limits my physical capabilities ... ] ... but thats just my personal bias ... and the fact that i am a cheap butt ... again.. its back to being a collector ... i would spend the money saved... on many more small plants ... i used to say.. i have more time than money... i will wait ...

be interesting to see a pic of you space and concept .... you might get all kinds of 'out of your box' suggestions ...

finally.. z5 is about half the US.. and varies wildly.. can you be more specific ....

ken

i have no idea how i read that you wanted 3 .. ignore those parts ... ken

now look at lateral growth ... lesser ... maybe 3 to 6 ... BTW.. same plant ....

do NOTHING to make trees grow faster ... except to plant properly .... root surgery if needed.. in the proper season ... no amending.. no fert.. and only PROPER water and mulch ...

proper watering involves inserting finger and finding out.. not some mystical schedule.. until your finger determines said schedule.. in your soil ....

see link .. especially if dealing with clay soil ....

it is also regional.. in terms of length of growing season ... on some level ...

ken
https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

Ken , I know you already said never mind , but allow me to take a shot,,,,

You respond in English ,,,,are you sure you read in English ?

ron

yes , 9 in. is about right

i admit nothing.. lol ....

expected you to ask if i type in english... lol ...btw ...

first pic 2008 ... second 2012 ... must have got established fast in my sand ... or im a wizard ... lol ...

ken

Well, I've planted two of these and both have grown much faster than 9"/year. Here's the tree planted in 2011, which is the year I moved here. The only special attention has been supplemental watering, which usually includes a sharp blast of water to the foliage.

Thank you for sharing photos and advices. To see pictures and read about the whole project, go here.