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Picea Suitability For USDA 7a N.C.

14 years ago

Hi Folks -

I am wondering if Picea mariana is suitable for Zone 7a North Carolina?

Also, I wonder if Picea x mariorika 'Machala' would succeed in my climate?

Many thanks!

PlantMarker

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Comments (10)

wisconsitom
14 years ago
To your first question: Sure doesn't seem like it. That species, even in my state, is found nearly only in the north, and even then, most commonly in bogs which are already cold pockets. But unless you're reforesting the back forty with em, little harm in trying one or a few.

Aren't red spruce native near to where you are? Mountains of course, but still......

+oM
gardener365
14 years ago
I think all these you'd have success with:
x mariorika
omorika
orientalis
mariana
rubens
abies
asperata
jezoensis
meyeri
wilsonii
smithiana

Dax
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plantmarker
Original Author
14 years ago
+oM -

Large stands of Picea rubens grow within two hours of where I live. However, that is an increase of about 1 mile to 6,000'+ in elevation - a totally different zone! Here in N.C., one can travel from the seashore to the highest peak east of the Mississippi River (Mt. Mitchell) and not leave the state.

I am currently growing a selected Picea rubens seedling that was found in that high elevation. I've chosen the best micro-climate I can for it.

PlantMarker
wisconsitom
14 years ago
Yeah, that was what I alluded to when I said "mountains, of course".

Best o luck with that rubens. I wish they were native here. BTW, how are those P. rubens stands doing? I thought I'd once read where air pollution was doing em in.

+oM
gardener365
14 years ago
My list should be quite on target. I assumed for whatever reason(s) you were not up in the higher elevations...

Dax
plantmarker
Original Author
14 years ago
+oM -
There are many, many stands of lifeless, ghostly-looking remnants of the past. However, there are many, many thriving stands. Roan Mountain, a 6,000'+ peak which straddles NC/TN, is an impressive gathering of Picea rubens and Abies fraseri.

Dax -

You assumed correctly. I am in the west-central Piedmont section of N.C., where the Summer heat + humidity form an unpleasant 1-2 punch, knocking this area out of the running for quite a few conifer species.

Thanks!

PlantMarker
midtn
14 years ago
I live in Nashville. Zone 6/7 with hot humid summers. I have had good luck with...

omorika (but only when grafted). The two or three species I planted died. That may just be me because everything I hear about omorika is that it should do well.
orientalis (has done well)
abies (no brainer)
meyeri (has done very well)
pungens (has done well)
glauca (dwarf varieties have done well)

Side note - I have had good luck with Abies nordmanniana and firma as well. I would bet some of the Mediterranean area firs would do well also.
firefightergardener
14 years ago
I think this post re-illustrates how dramatically zones vary, even for the same number. I live in a zone generally recognized as 7/8 and I can grow virtually any non sub-tropical conifer in the world. While zone 7 West and zone 7 East both share winter temps, our summer temps and humidity are so drastically different, it makes the zone system nearly useless.
kaitain4
14 years ago
I live in TN near Nashville too, and I have three Picea mariana cultivars - Nana, Doumetii, and Blue Teardrop. The Doumetii is brand new, but the other two have been in the ground a while and are doing very well so far with no special attention.

I'm also doing really well with these:

Omorika - no problems at all.

Orientalis - I have a lot of cultivars and they all do fabulously well.

Abies - Grows perfectly here. There are giant ones (the species) all over town, and all the cultivars I have tried do great.

Jezoensis - I have a new one, so we'll see.

Pungens - A lot of people say they won't grow here, but like MIDTN, I haven't had any problem so far with them. I have 10 or 12 different cultivars, from full size to dwarf. I have never had a spider mite attack, which I guess is a problem some places. Some of mine have been in the ground for several years now and look good.

This year I'm also trying Picea engelmanii. Love the look of it.

I would say don't be afraid to experiment. That's what most of gardening is, IMHO.
plantaholic
14 years ago
i experimented with picea rubens in central alabama......nine years ago i planted three 8-12" seedlings and two have survived. its a north facing shady slope, but hey......they keep slowly getting bigger. they are about 3 1/2 ft tall.

i have omorika that is 9 yrs old too. its just as slow, but living and growing.

i recently planting several picea and abies here in z8.....ill keep ya posted.

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