Spruce origin

The spruce (Picea) belongs to the pine family. It is widespread in the temperate zone of North America, Europe and Asia and grows as a conifer with a height of 20 to 60 m. In Germany, spruces live for around 300 years. The oldest tree in the world is in Sweden and is a spruce that is around 10.000 years old.

In mythology, the spruce was often seen as a tree of immortality or as a symbol of the connection between heaven and earth. The spruce grows quickly and was therefore a symbol of hope for the Romans. For the Germanic tribes, the spruce was a tree of protection and life. Its straight and orderly growth form stood for clarity and was meant to show the way of life.

The spruce is monoecious, meaning it produces male and female cones. The male cones are smaller and are usually found on the lower branches of the spruce. They contain the male inflorescences, which develop pollen-producing stamens in the spring. The female cones are larger and are usually found on the upper branches of the spruce. They contain the female inflorescences, which develop into seeds in the autumn.
The spruce has green, short and narrow needles that are about 2 to 4 cm long. The needles are arranged in clusters and remain on the tree for about 4 to 7 years before falling off.
The fruits of the spruce are the seeds contained in the female cones. They ripen in the autumn and remain on the branches over the winter. In the spring, the seeds fall from the cones and are spread by the wind or animals.

Spruce care and location

Spruces prefer a sunny to partially shaded location with calcareous and well-drained soil. They are also salt tolerant and can therefore be planted in areas with high salt content in the air or soil.

Pruning spruce

Spruces do not normally require regular pruning. However, if the tree has been damaged or is growing abnormally, targeted pruning may be necessary to improve its shape. The best time to prune is before new growth begins in spring.

Watering spruce

The spruce prefers moist soil and does not tolerate prolonged water shortages. The water requirements of a spruce depend on several factors, such as the length of the dry period and the condition of the tree. It is important that the soil never dries out completely, as this can cause the roots to die. In general, young trees should be watered regularly, while mature trees usually only need watering during dry periods. Signs of water shortages in spruces include limp, brown needles and dried-out shoots. When these signs appear, the tree should be watered as soon as possible. Watering with the garden hose often causes a lot of water to run off or evaporate before it can reach the spruce's roots.
Using tree bath watering bags for watering spruces, on the other hand, is particularly efficient. The irrigation bags have two holes in the lower area through which the water is evenly distributed to the tree over a period of hours. The drip irrigation gives the roots close to the ground the opportunity to absorb the water. This keeps the soil evenly moist and saves water because not too much of it seeps into the ground. An irrigation bag provides young trees with sufficient water. To water existing trees, two or three irrigation bags can be connected together. The bags can be connected to one another using zip fasteners. A layer of mulch around the root area helps to keep the moisture in the soil and prevent weed growth.

Fertilizing spruce trees

Spruces should be pruned in autumn or spring fertilized Mature compost is a good fertilizer. Spruces are susceptible to a variety of pests, including beetles, caterpillars and fungi. To protect spruces, it is a good idea to regularly check for signs of pests and combat them.

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