skip to main content

Mixing Spruce Trees with DecidiousTrees

15 years ago

I see new yards that have the small colorado spruce trees planted and right next to the spruce trees some norway maples and also chanticleer pear trees sprinkled throughout. These trees are all very new. It seems that this planting would grow into a jungle.?? It seems like the spruce tree would need the room to grow. Can you help me understand why folks plant like this. Perhaps I am missing something and thought you folks could enlighten me. I also have noticed some of the older landscapes around with only colorado spruce trees and they look beautiful together. They do not have the decidious trees. I am getting ready to plant my spruce trees and I had planned to plant just spruce. I know they are small but they will grow in time. Am I correct or should I plant decidious also. Thanks so much.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
15 years ago
Norways suck the life out of everything around them and chanticleer pear are weak wooded, break in the wind type trees. On top of that, Picea pungens (Colorado Spruce) needs all the light and air circulation you can give them. Avoid the pitfalls of those other folks and go with your insticts and you'll be merry to the max.

tj
wisconsitom
15 years ago
Yep, TJ's got it right. Those plantings you reference are not going to work out well, esp. for the spruce. Now, the overall effect of coniferous and broadleaved trees growing in proximity to one another is delightful, but, you have to give each type the room it is going to need to develop properly.

+oM
Related Discussions
Container Spruce in gritty or basic mix? (Al's)
Q
Comments (2)
In my view the choice of what ingredients to use in the mix should be based on how long the plant will be in the mix before it is changed out. If this tree will spend a few years in this mix then I would choose the gritty mix since only 1/3rd of the mix is subject to breaking down and holding more water at the expense of less oxygen. In the basic mix almost 90% is subject to breaking down. If water retention is your concern you can decrease the amount of grit and increase the amount of Turface. Grit holds no water, Turface holds a lot. I have some citrus trees growing in 1 part bark fines and 1 part turface and for my tastes it holds too much water. I have some more citrus coming this week and I already have their planters ready with the gritty mix. Years ago I was afraid of the gritty mix for the same reason you are, concerned I would be a watering slave. While you probably will be watering a bit more often than with a peat based mix, I think you will be surprised how much water the gritty mix holds, particularly in a large, deep container. When in doubt, just increase the turface while decreasing the grit.
...See More
Mixed shrub border in front of spruce windbreak
Q
Comments (5)
There are no magic numbers or maximum height rules, it all depends on the what else it there, the size and shape of the entire planting, and the sizes and shapes of the rest of the plants. You don't say what kind of spruce, whether they are dwarf or large sizes. 25 large Spruces suggests a fairly large windbreak planting if you spaced them to allow for their mature size without too much overcrowding. In this case, I would say that using other plants in multiples of 3, 5 or 7, or more depending on how large they will get, will be necessary to have any impact. The smaller the individual shrub, the greater the quantity you should use, in general. I have Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' in zigzagged groupings of eleven in one area and 13 in another. Oakleaf Hydrangea 5 in one area, 3 in another. Rhododendrom maximum, just one as the center of a planting with other shrubs. Plot the mature sizes of the spruces, and leave enough space between them and the new additions. It will look nekkid for a while, but with good care, will eventually fill in and look much better than if you overcrowded them early on. This applies if you used dwarf plants as well, just scale back your additional plantings in number and size to blend with the scale of the existing plantings when it matures a bit.
...See More
black walnut tree killing spruce trees? help please.
Q
Comments (5)
Some trees will grow next to walnuts - see link below. I planted a few acres of walnut seedlings in one area of my reforestation project and used the list to determine which trees I could mix with the walnuts. I planted a lot of oaks, redbuds, and red cedars mixed in with the walnuts to add some variety, but several others will do fine next to them as well. Another option would be to remove the walnut tres and replant the spruces. I've read the juglone lasts 2-5 yrs in the roots/soil after the tree is killed so the new trees may get off to a slow start until the juglone totally fades away. john Here is a link that might be useful: Walnut Trees
...See More
How far from Spruce Trees can Decidious Trees be Planted
Q
Comments (6)
hey mary ... how about some relevant facts.. how big is your yard ... soil type... wind issues ... perhaps a picture ... you really havent given us much to work with here .... i love oaks.. they grow surprising fast ... and are extremely strong in the long run .. avoid all plants that claim to grow super fast ... give us anything else that will help us limit a discussion of the flora and fauna of utah ... ken
...See More
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
key word.. NEW YARDS ...

this is what happens when a BUILDER .. on a budget.. is making landscape decisions ...

ornamental pears .. horrible plants .. even the named varieties ...

norway maples.. the ABSOLUTE worst of the maple clan ... horrible ... horrible trees ...

the most invasive weed on the face of the earth .. grass.. cant even grow under them ...

and though i love picea pungens.. frankly.. they can easily be 20 to 40 feet wide .... and 40 to 80 feet tall ... not really a plant for suburbia...

my guess.. regarding the first two .. bargain plants based on reduced demand.. led to a bargain price in bulk ...

and pungens are really cheap ...

always go with a diverse landscape .... so if some plague comes along.. and wipes out one of something... its not the one you choose .... every plant has an upside and a downside ...

the downside of pungens.. is their meanness ... they are not forgiving when you brush against them ... they will cut you man ....

ken

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Branches and Berries to Spruce Up Holiday Decor

By Paintbox Garden

Bring garden cuttings in from the cold to warm up seasonal arrangements and decorate your home for the holidays

HOLIDAYS How to Care for Your Christmas Tree

By Therese Ciesinski

Keep your tree looking lush until the last ornament is packed away with these tips for watering, using stands and more

HOLIDAYS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Christmas Tree!

By Mary Jo Bowling

How lovely are your branches? Post a picture and share your stories

DECORATING GUIDES Guest Picks: Make a Fashionista Christmas Tree

By Valorie Hart

Take cues from Hermes, Burberry and Tiffany & Co. for your tree trimmings this year

GARDENING GUIDES Grow Your Own Privacy: How to Screen With Plants and Trees

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Use living walls to lower your home and garden's exposure while boosting natural beauty in your landscape

PLANTING IDEAS Stretch the Budget, Seasons and Style: Add Conifers to Your Containers

Small, low-maintenance conifers are a boon for mixed containers — and you can transplant them to your garden when they’ve outgrown the pot

Ideabook 911: My House Needs a Facelift!

By Becky Harris

Houzz Member Gets Ideas for Sprucing Up This Deck and Garage

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Picea Glauca

By Susan J Tweit

Its sculptural form and evergreen foliage provide year-round beauty and wildlife shelter. Its cones offer important winter songbird food

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Picea Abies ‘Nidiformis’

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Bird’s nest spruce pulls its weight in the winter garden by providing structure and interest

CHRISTMAS 20 DIY Ornaments to Give or Keep

By Annie Thornton

From classic to quirky, easy to more involved, these Christmas ornaments will perk up your tree or make a great gift

Sponsored

More Discussions

crazy weather :-(

24

Doing Soil Tests on Soil-Less Container Media

14

Amazing coastal redwood in CA

4

Cicadas and Newly Planted Trees

12

Sudden Globe blue spruce death?

2