Here is my Nana. Planted in 2011. I hoped that I will soon have my own X-mas tree, but in time will be a long wait. During this year, an increase was very small and she grows very thick and dense. Maybe it's just the beginning?:)) 2012 may 2012 august 2012 december I think she lost her ending and bring it on the ball:) Ireena

I really like these cultivars with that blue and green combo. That Sitka is HUGE! Cher

Serbian Spruce. See forums/posts under Pests and another under this forum about Die-Back of Serbian Spruce leaders. Don't know if a borer or weevil had something to do with it's demise, but I agree with most, that it is probably not worth the effort to rehabilitate. For smaller trees, I have trained new leaders with success. It takes time, but I have two 7 - 8 footers now that have nice, long leaders that I trained from a side branch. The problem I had was an investation of some kind of weevil or borer (might be white pine weevil) that attacks and kills the top leader portion of the tree. It was only when I sprayed all my trees (including 20 I donated to a church) that I "nipped those buggers in the bud" - so to speak. A few other things I have learned about Serbian Spruces. They don't transplant that well at times when they get to be larger than 4 - 5 feet. It can work, but the odds of failure get higher as the tree gets higher. Also, since I am not sure of the timing of the events for your tree, if it was just a matter of 2 leaders forming, could pruning have opened up a place for disease to enter? Also, with most spruces, they don't like "wet feet", i.e., where water might puddle around the base or where drainage is not very good during periods/seasons of heavy rain. I transplanted young Serbians twice in a spot that is 10 yards from another one that is doing nicely. I think either it was getting too much water in that spot or barely enough sunlight, since it was only getting strong late afternoon and evening sun. Once established and growing in a "happy environment", they are one of the nicest evergreen trees for the landscape. I've often heard others say that the Serbian Spruce is (or has been) one of the most underutilized trees in home and commerical landscapes. A good source of seedlings/transplants is Carino Nursery in Indiana, PA.

Very nice tiny plant! Like your "historical reports":) I admire your ability taking pictures of every plant every year... I try to do the same, but later it takes so much time - to sort all these thousands shots... So a big thank you for these pictures - I know, how time consuming it is:) Ireena