I live in Atlanta Georgia and was told that we could not grow a blue spruce but we have. We got it when it was less than a foot tall and have watched it grow over the years. It is now about 6 or 7 years old, about 6 or 7 feet tall and has never been trimmed. It needs trimming but I do not know when the best time to do that is. I want to keep it alive and healthy but needs a little more attention. It is in our fromt yard and it a important part of our Christmas display. It has a couple of dead branches close to the ground. When can I trim them to give the tree more air to breath. Also it is very irregular and I would like to even it up just a little bit. When is the best time to do that?
Remove dead branches any time. Trim to shape in late spring or early summer. Do not cut back into old, bare interior growth. Problem with Colorado spruces in mild winter climates is insects and diseases spoiling them. Possibly the dead branches on yours are the start of something. Here I do not recognize diseases so much but aphid damage appears to be highly prevalent. As with other cold climate conifers like true firs (Abies spp.) a specimen may grow for quite a few years and then be heavily attacked and diminished.
Ithought the dead branches on the bottom were because they were so close to the ground. I have tried to keep some mulch around the tree to keep the moisture neer the roots because it has been so very dry here the last couple of years. How do I treat for the aphids?
Don't treat for insects you have not seen. If you find aphids or other pests then pursue remedies specific to those at that time. Doing a web search for "spruce aphid", for instance will bring up multiple hits.
I appreciate all your info. I have been wondering when to trim the tree for a long while and you have given me more answers in a couple days and understand what I was trying to find out about the lower branches. Thank you Ron
