How to Plant a Balled Colorado Blue Spruce

Blue spruce trees survive cold weather.

Colorado blue spruce are large conifer trees that grow relatively easily in Colorado, North Dakota and much of the Western mountains in the U.S. According to Virginia Tech University, scientists call the trees "Picea pungens." These trees often come from tree farms with their root balls wrapped in burlap and gardeners can plant the trees relatively easily. A few simple supplies and planting techniques ensure that Colorado blue spruce survive transplanting and stay healthy.

Things You'll Need

• Soil pH testing kit
• Soil acidifier or basic fertilizer (optional depending on soil pH)
• Tiller
• Water
• Shovel
• Gardening gloves (optional)
• Mulch
• Clippers

Instructions

1. Test the soil pH before planting. According to the University of Minnesota, Colorado blue spruce grow best in soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.3. Buy a pH testing kit, or have a local nursery or university test the soil before planting the tree. Local and online gardening stores sell fertilizers designed to raise or lower the pH, and gardeners may use these products to adjust the pH to the right level for a Colorado blue spruce.

2. Prepare the soil for planting by aerating it with a tiller. Transplanted trees grow better when their roots have adequate aeration.

3. Dig a planting hole about 2/3 as deep as the height of the root ball. The University of Minnesota recommends leaving about 1/3 of the root ball above the surface of the ground to help provide aeration for the tree's roots.

4. Remove the twine that holds a layer of burlap around the root ball and remove the burlap.

5. Place the root ball in the planting hole and fill in the area around the root ball with dirt.

6. Saturate the root ball with water. Thoroughly soak the root ball with water immediately after planting and then continue to water the root ball with 5 to 7 gallons of water per week.

7. Add a layer of mulch over the planting hole area to limit weed growth and help hold moisture in the soil in between regular waterings.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant blue spruce trees before winter and early in the fall in extremely rainy areas. The trees will survive a frost and heavy rains better if their roots are solidly established in the ground before winter starts.

References

• Virginia Tech University: Picea Pungens Fact Sheet
• University of Minnesota: Planting and Transplanting Trees and Shrubs

Resources

• North Dakota State University: Blue Spruce