I have a blue spruce that looks healthy, grows bigger branches every year, but does not get taller. It stopped getting taller a few years ago when it was about 12 feet tall. At the top it has a bunch of shoots, but none seam to continue as the main stalk.
2006-10-16 12:00:02 · 5 answers · asked by Woody 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Some one must have cut the main stem causing it to branch out.
2006-10-16 12:06:45 · answer #1 · answered by Floyd B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's what happened: a bug got into the leader (the main stem), bored into it and killed it. There's an insect specific to spruces and another to white pines, but they have the same effect, and you may never see another towering pine or spruce again.
It's a little late to try this technique, but you have nothing to lose. Find a firm straight stick or dowel about 2' long. Tie it to the trunk of your tree with twine, extending about a foot above where the top cluster of shoots begins. Pick one of those shoots, the one that seems the straightest, and tie it to the stick to train it as the new leader. Shear back the others in the cluster to shape the tip of your tree. Next spring, through June-July, watch the growing tip. What you are looking for is a pinhole and a little frass (like fine sawdust) indicating an insect's presence. With a bent paper clip, go in and nail that sucker. If caught in time, you may preserve your leader for another growing season. Eventually, though, you will forget, or an insect will get past your surveillance, or the tree will get too tall to monitor, and then you'll end up with another cluster. It's just a matter of time. Learn to be Zen about it.
2006-10-18 04:58:19 · answer #2 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'blue spruce' is a vaugue description, many trees of this family may be dwarfs or minature trees. perhaps the central 'crown' the growing tip, has been damaged, if this is the case, it will continue its growth, when it feels like it (although after a few years, it should have made it's mind up!!), Take every plant as a creation, if this creation does not do what you want it to do, you have 2 choices: A; destroy and replace OR B; relax and enjoy, try and plant another version somewhere else. Plants are bloody funny things!!!!!! thatswhat is so fun
2006-10-16 13:43:43 · answer #3 · answered by helritch 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It might not be getting enough nutrients, or there might be something else preventing it from growing. It could be something to do with the root system.
Anyway, according to the source below the Blue Spruce can grow between 82 and 98 feet tall if they enough time and have enough room. I guess, some have even gotten to be as tall as 150 feet tall.
2006-10-16 12:33:02 · answer #4 · answered by JSalakar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Along with the suggestions offered, it could just be the particular "cultivar" or species that it is.
Hope this helps, Dave
2006-10-18 08:59:51 · answer #5 · answered by what'sthis4 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋