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Weeping White Spruce Growth

18 days ago

Is this the leader for the weeping white spruce growing off to the right? If so, how do I get it to grow straight? I keep waiting for a branch to grow out of the top, but not sure how these weepers grow

Featured Answer

maackia

13 days ago

It may thin out slightly on the backside below the fence, but this will not be visible except when doing fence maintenance. ;) I'd leave it be. BTW, you have an opportunity to pictorially document how this tree evolves over the next few years. The next time this issue is raised, which is likely to happen, you'll be able to show how it establishes a leader. Good luck with it!

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Comments (15)

BillMN-z-2-3-4
17 days ago
How long have you had the tree?

Was it like this when you bought/planted it?

In your last picture, it appears to have a broken part on top but it's hard to see it.

It appears that the horizontal stem on the right is the main leader, again hard to tell just looking at a picture.

If it's a recent purchase, I'd contact your seller and see what he/she says about it.
maackia
17 days ago
They can be wonky when young, but they have a strong preference for fastigiiate form. I’ve grown three of them, and they were all fairly uniform in their narrow, upward growth, with no staking required. My experience is that after 3-4 years of establishment, they will quickly establish a strong leader and gain an upward trend. I recommend patience.
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You want the best of both worlds built into one conifer. That is not possible with the two you have chosen. Picea a. 'Pendula' has a wondering growing habit. It will grow vertical on the stake as long as on the stake. When it reaches a height you can no longer stake it then the central leader will begin to wonder. It will need more room horizontally to grow then "Glauca Pendula'. The only favorable thing it has going for it is the dark green color you like. On the other hand Picea glauca 'Pendula' will grow straight as an arrow without the stake. It will not wonder and stay very narrow in growing width. A much more formal looking conifer then . Growing height is similar with 'Reflexa' the stronger.. Actually I have two of each growing in different areas of my garden. I would not grow them together. The look would not be appealing with the mismatched growing habit. I have enclosed two photos of 'Reflexa'. 'Pendula' in the nursery trade. This one on the stake only 2 years then left to free range. This one was staked for 10 years but now off the stake. The main leader is now some what unstable and reverting back to its wandering growing habit. This photo is two years old and does not reveal this. And of course Picea glauca 'Pendula'. A true champion growing in any garden. I hope I didn't totally confuse you in your decision making. Both are great focal point conifers. If you decide to mix and match go for it. You are the one who needs to be happy. Dave
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I would leave it for at least 2-3 years as it may sort itself out on its own (I was doubful this would, but it did). This used to have 2 leaders. When you wait until late Nov. for 50% off, you often end up with “weirder the better” material. This sorted itself out on its own. Its in a wet location (P. Pungens to right is in very wet spot and planted too low hence lower branches dying). Perhaps this helped sort it out (more quickly). The dwarf Alberta spruce to its left is reverting. I really, really, really like weeping white spruce, especially tall, older specimens. A deer also got to this about 3 years ago.
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It could also be a very similar looking fungal disease called stigmina needle cast, but you’d need a 10x hand magnifier to truly observe the difference. A local horticulturist in the area would give you an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment options, but that service may come at a cost. In a mature tree, treatment of both needle cast diseases would be worthwhile, but often that involves using a specific pesticide and up to three years of spray-treatment to prevent further infection and spores spreading. Personally, with your spruce being so young (and already looking severely infected), I would remove it to protect the rest of the surrounding area. If you decide to remove it, make sure any needles or branches that fall off are also disposed of as those will also contain spores (either hot composting or burning). Definitely send the photos and mention both needle cast diseases, hopefully the nursery has someone on-site who can confirm or properly diagnosis it.
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I'm not qualified to speak to the suitability or lack thereof of 'weeping white spruce', at least not beyond what Ben already said. If you can get your hands on a morinda spruce, that would seem likely more suitable for LA. (Deodar cedars come from a similar climate, and grow just fine there) It's considered 'weeping' too. UPDATE: Didn't have time to find the reference this morning, but Jacobson's NALT reported a 58' Picea smithiana in Sacramento. So it could certainly handle the climate of most of the LA basin.
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floraluk2
17 days ago
Anyone else think it might be sensible to move it away from the fence while it's still small enough?
laceyvail 6A, WV
17 days ago
Just what I was thinking, flora.
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
16 days ago
i think it’s fine where it is.
maackia
16 days ago
I'll split the difference: a foot or two further away from the fence would be better, but its habit is so narrow that it should be okay where it is.
floraluk2
16 days ago
last modified: 16 days ago
It's hard to see from the picture but it looks to be about a foot from the fence. Is it really not going to eventually grow to touch the fence? And is the fence never going to need maintenance?
BillMN-z-2-3-4
16 days ago
If the back side get too much shade, it may grow less than desirable on that side.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
16 days ago
Pix can be deceiving. I’ll reserve comment until Jeff tells us how far from the fence it is.

tj
Jeff Harding
Original Author
14 days ago
The center of the tree is 30" from the fence
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
13 days ago
Mine looked like yours and developed a nice leader btw
BillMN-z-2-3-4
13 days ago
Yes, keep this thread updated. It's always educational and interesting to see how things progress over time.

:-)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 days ago
you bought a weeping tree.. its right there in the name... if you wanted a taller one.. it would have been best to buy a taller one..

it will be near impossible to pull the leader upright at this time..

tree time is counted in decades.. in 5 to 10 years.. it might put up a new upright leader.. and you can train that to grow taller...

i would also suggest you move it 3 to 5 feet further from the fence ..

ken
BillMN-z-2-3-4
13 days ago
Jeff,

There's some beautiful pictures of this tree in the conifer forum.

Here's one below. Page down to about the third post.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5732852/experience-with-weeping-white-spruce-in-zone-7#n=14

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