I am in a different zone than you but I found a packet of baby blue eyes that had been in my junk drawer for two years. I just dumped them out (in January), figured I had nothing to lose, and they all came up. I didnt cover them or anything. They just took over that bed -covered up my azaleas. When they got too leggy I just yanked em and shook their little heads to reseed. You know how those babies are-they take over everything! Good luck to you

Hi, I am the Op. I have heard and appreciate the collective wisdom of simply removing the tree. I would never have planted it in that location myself, but it was there when our daughter bought the house a few years ago. The spot is too shady for a happy spruce. I also agree that a tree of any kind does not need to be there. Maple - You are so right about the probability of repeated antler damage. Funny thing is we never, ever even see the deer during the day. Conifer Joy and Whaas- I grow 6 or 7 species of picea and 3 different abies at our mountain place. I am beginning to landscape an afternoon sun only area that is now outside the windows of a new addition to the cabin. I will try to find a good Abies lasiocarpa 'Compacta'. I do love blue conifers. Ken- I try to read anything you post because you seem to have a similar climate to ours at the cabin ( 6a Blue Ridge Mountains). Its not just the cold; its the wind and the morning sun that are a problem for me there. You asked why I'm in charge and, of course, I'm not. Its their tree. Its just that my daughter and her husband are busy and not really plant people. They like a nice landscape, but do not plan to ever actually prune, dig holes, or remove anything themselves. They have a regular lawn service and a tree service that comes when needed. I am the avid gardener in the family and they asked me to figure out the best thing to do with the damaged tree. I am an experienced gardner, but not an expert on conifers, so I asked for advise here. Thanks!

This is a California native wildflower, Baby Blue Eyes. Compare with photo below. If the white is in the center of the flower, it is as it should be. Here is a link that might be useful: Baby Blue Eyes

That isn't Phyllanthus urinaria. Those nasty plants set flowers, even when they're very small and the leaves are uniformly oblong.