Might be genetic. Too bad they cut part of it away.

Thanks. Very distinctive and eye-catching. Saved to my tree-photo folder. Being short might lessen chances of wind-damage.

Thats pretty cool and medusa like

extremely unusual - agree it is likely genetic (at a topiary garden, you might assume this was the result of a mad plant shaping aficionado)

reminds me of my still-unidentified octopus spruce

Picea abies does throw some surprises. I have to admit I haven't seen one like in David's picture. It has a bit of P. omorika in it, but even more impressive. Quite beautiful.

Don't know much about plant genetics, but I am wondering why some think it might be this form might be genetic?

" I am wondering why some think it might be this form might be genetic"

because it's so unusual; if anything we've seen pics of some spruces that form *one* low branch, probably a result of an early insult/injury like heavy snow...

it's hard to explain what caused this - in, again - a normal garden situation, w/o manipulation

this almost reminds me of the supposed (I've only heard about this) cultivar of Sequoia sempervirens that grows low and spreading for a while, and then suddenly sends up normal shoots.

Even more impressive than this one:

I would think the first picture is the result of manipulation rather than genetics. Notice how large the trunk is below the large branches in relation to above them. It appears the tree grew for a long time without a top, before it was allowed to grow a new one. My guess was snowload to begin with and then kids whenever it started a new leader would break it off. Could have been the homeowner also, just to be 'weird', or maybe to retain a view. All the new leaders look as if they were broken or cut off halfway up, all at the same height.

Mike, that's pretty quick to blame the kids, but very plausible. ;)

It does look like something happened to it a few decades ago.

Yeah, a little quick on the kids, but I know the dog didn't do it. Can't blame the dog. ;-)