What Is My Dwarf Alberta Spruce Growth Rate

Dwarf Alberta Spruce Size

An upright shrub with a pyramidal shape, the dwarf Alberta spruce is dense. It takes the dwarf Alberta spruce tree up to 30 years to grow to its maximum height of 10 to 13 feet, so to say that its growth rate is slow is an understatement. It usually only grows by no more than 4 inches a year, according to that. The Tiny Tower (Picea glauca conica 'MonRon'), a 4- to 6-foot-tall variation of the dwarf Alberta spruce, is one of these miniature varieties.

Typically 2 to 3 feet wide, dwarf Alberta spruce trees have needles that are about 1/2 inch long. Although this particular cultivar of white spruce rarely produces cones, the Missouri Botanical Garden claims that the white spruce as a whole does.
 

Growth Habit of Dwarf Alberta Spruce

The mature height of an Alberta spruce tree is 12 feet and it takes it about 50 years to reach that height. The tree expands horizontally at a rate of much slower than 3 inches per year while growing vertically. Over a number of years, dwarf Alberta spruce trees lateral spread measure about 5 feet. Calculate mature sizes for landscape use by multiplying 3 inches by the anticipated lifespan of the tree.

Preferred Habitat for Dwarf Alberta Spruce

The best conditions for dwarf Alberta spruce trees to grow in are full sun and partial shade. Dwarf spruce trees should be planted away from structures or dense stands of tall trees because the dense foliage needs airflow and sunlight to prevent excessive moisture retention. They favor organically rich, moist soil that drains well. Due to their poor tolerance for drought, dry soil, air pollution, and excessive heat, dwarf spruce trees are not recommended for urban plantings.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce Cultural Requirements

The dwarf Alberta spruce will thrive in areas that are similar to its natural range, with cold winters and cool summers. This species struggles in high temperatures and humidity, and it will also suffer if it is exposed to the city-specific air pollution or salt spray in coastal areas. The Missouri Botanical Garden states that although some light shade won't harm them, full sun is the best environment for the white spruce and its cultivars to grow in.

Whatever the method you intend to use to incorporate this dwarf conifer into your landscape, make sure to pick a spot with adequate airflow when selecting a location for a dwarf Alberta spruce to avoid excess moisture building up on the foliage. This is essential because damp foliage may draw mites, insects that can kill the tree. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension advises giving your dwarf Alberta spruce 6 to 12 feet of space to be safe.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce Landscape Uses

The dwarf Alberta spruce's popularity as a landscaping plant is not surprising given its bright green foliage and conical shape. Additionally, it has a lot of versatility. This tree is frequently used as a focal point, in pairs, or individually to frame a garden path or entrance. According to HGTV, dwarf Alberta spruce miniature varieties like Tiny Tower are ideal for container gardening. Many spruce species are available in nurseries in zany topiary shapes like spirals and pom-poms.

The Missouri Botanical Garden claims that dwarf Alberta spruce trees can also be used as barriers. This evergreen species is a great option for a Christmas tree, whether planted in the ground or in a festive pot, according to the N.C. Cooperative Extension.

Common Problems of Dwarf Alberta Spruce

The dwarf Alberta spruce can grow without many issues, but it can occasionally revert to its species form and is vulnerable to a few infections and insect pests. Although the precise cause is unknown, dwarf cultivars occasionally adopt the growth patterns of larger white spruce trees, turning off the genetic switch that causes dwarfism. Red spider mites thrive in the dense foliage of dwarf Alberta spruce trees, where they can quickly harm healthy trees even though they are easily managed with miticide sprays. In dwarf spruce culture, root rots are also a common issue, but they are significantly less common when excessive irrigation is avoided.