Looks like one of the squat forms of Picea orientalis. Same one might be on Iseli nursery web site. Maybe they even grew it.

Color should be much darker, it needs help.

Trying to get some larger pictures posted as the others are too small for ID purposes.

The plant looks very healthy and I believe it is a bright green/yellow cultivar. I've looked through a host of conifer books and websites without finding a match, so decided it was time to ask you experts!

Barbara

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Yep, Caucasian Spruce Picea orientalis.

Resin

I would also be inclined toward a cultivar of orientalis... but not Skylands which I think is narrower. My book has no other gold cultivars. I think spinning around the internet is going to be needed for this one. Did you find anything on the Iseli site?

It does look like a lot of plant for that pot, even if it's meant to be light-coloured, so prompt planting couldn't hurt.

Glad you were able to post a bigger photo :-)

KarinL

No doubt severely root bound at 3 ft. across grown in a container. I would probably hose all dirt from root ball. The only way to get at that tangled mess to prepare it for planting.

I agree...Picea orientalis. Could be 'Skylands' grown on the flat. Appears to be sending up a leader. I would cut that out in order to keep its squat appearance. What ever it is I like it especially for its color.

Dave

Great advice...answered my thought about what to do with the leader too. It is set out to plant; just need to finalize the grouping.
Did check the main conifer wholesalers's sites first, then hit my books. 'Conifers, The Illustrated Encyclopedia' (Gelderen and Smith, Timber Press) pictures the best match; Picea orientalis 'Wittbold' described as "slow-growing, broadly pyramidal form with yellow needles". What do you think?

Thanks for all the help,
Barbara

It's a squat green form with a nitrogen deficiency.

Got it into the ground Monday. Used lots of water to get the root mass loosened up.....plus an ant colony! Will let it settle in for a few weeks, then hit with some foliar fertilizer and see how the color evolves. My reference books list several dark green cultivars that are slow to grow and/or eventually develop a leader: 'Barnes', 'Compacta', 'Nana'. Do any of these sound like possibilities?

Thanks again for all the good info and ideas,
Barbara

The problem will be the leached, deteriorated potting soil so if nutrient levels are adequate in the planting site the tree may rather soon green up on its own. Otherwise, fertilize the top of the soil around it with a suitable product.

The Bottom Line
 Tree and shrub species differ dramatically in their ability to absorb foliar fertilizers.
 Proper plant selection relative to soil type is crucial to appropriate mineral nutrition.
 Foliar spraying is best accomplished on overcast, cool days to reduce leaf burn.
 In landscape plants, foliar spraying can test for nutrient deficiencies, but not solve them.
 Micronutrients are the only minerals that are effectively applied through foliar application.
 Foliar application will not alleviate mineral deficiencies in roots or subsequent crown growth.
 Foliar spraying is only a temporary solution to the larger problem of soil nutrient availability.
 Minerals (especially micronutrients) applied in amounts that exceed a plantÂs needs can injure or
kill the plant and contribute to environmental pollution.
 Any benefit from foliar spraying of landscape trees and shrubs is minor considering the cost and
labor required

Here is a link that might be useful: Foliar Feeding

Thanks for the reminders and information . We own and operate a 20 acre organic vineyard and maintaining fertility is crucial for a decent crop. NPK is applied with an injector through the drip lines, though at times when root damage has been present (nematodes) foliar applications sure do help! Micronutrients are expensive, so building adequate soil levels is impractical; they are sprayed on at night for maximum uptake.

Wouldn't a new planting, with roots not established, green up faster with foliar fertilizer applications...or am I just thinkin' wrong?

Any ideas on the Picea orientalis cultivar?

I would not do anything but stick it in the ground and see what transpires. I wouldn't artificially stimulate it. I am not a big fan of soil amendments or fertilizer for conifers. They are going to adapt to whatever soil is naturally present in six months as the roots have begun to extend themselves past the planting hole.

If it reverts back to green then it was nitrogen deficient. You can never know what the nursery fed it, if anything. If it stays yellow then you are on to something.

It very easily could be Picea orientalis 'Nigra Compacta'
pictured here. You can never be sure though. Plants with out tags are not easily identified as there are many cultivars within the same species with very similar growing habits.

Dave Picea o. 'Nigra Compact'
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OK, this guy has been in the ground for 4 months. The color has darkened some, but definitely still a bright green; slightly more yellowish than the picture shows.

Do any of you pros have a suggestion of the cultivar?

Thank you!
Barbara

Barb,

I LOVE IT! Could you get some cuttings grafted for us DROOLERS?? I will pay HUGE DOLLARS, like maybe $2.50 or something! LOL!! Just kidding! I really would pay for one though, and shipping, etc. Its a cool shape and color.

K4

Maybe you should name it as a new variety called "Barb's Bonanza".

Barbara, one other cultivar that hasn't been mentioned yet is Picea orientalis 'Shadow's Broom'. The color of yours doesn't match the description, but I've seen larger ones in nurseries that do look quite similar to yours.

Dan

Here is a link that might be useful: Picea orientalis 'Shadow's Broom'

Heya Barbara,

I have a LOT of Picea orientalis cultivars and based on the growth pattern and color to me it looks like Picea orientalis 'Barnes'. I have one in a pot and the second I saw the needles and color that's what I thought. Could be one of many cultivars though so just take it as my simple uneducated opinion.

Will

Here is a picture of my Picea orientalis "Barnes'.

Frank

Thanks for the input folks. I'll patiently watch the spring growth, then what color that matures too...

I would LOVE to graft and share, but need someone in Northern California for lessons and to hold my hand through the process. There are some cuttings in the cloner...but not even callused after two months.

Barbara

I have never seen a 'Barnes' with a leader, normaly spoken this one is always a nest shape form.
I was thinking that it could be 'Stovezand', but I'm not sure it's availlable in the U.S.

We took a day off and drove 4 beautiful hours to the coast, back to the nursery this came from. He identified it as Picea orientalis 'Barnes'. There were several smaller ones the same color, but with more of a nest shape. I have read that there is both a bright green and dark green 'Barnes' and it develops a leader with age. If this is the same color of 'Barnes' Willfirefight obtained from Bob Fincham, then I have no reason to doubt the cultivar name validity.

Thanks for all the help!

Barbara