If you have your heart set on a good old-fashioned country Christmas, then the Blue Spruce may be just what you're looking for. First discovered in 1862 on Pike's Peak in the Rocky Mountains, it is the State Tree of both Colorado and Utah, and is commonly known as the Colorado Blue Spruce. The tree's beautifully rich, deep blue-green silvery needles and its natural classic shape make it an attractive choice for either a cut Christmas tree or a live potted indoor holiday tree.
Blue Spruce trees typically have a more-open growth structure, so you can hang ornaments on both the outer and inner branches. Usually about 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches long, the needles are very stiff and sharp. The Blue Spruce has extremely sturdy branches that will easily hold all your ornaments, both lightweight and heavier ones as well, so it's a good choice for decorating, particularly because it ranks well among the spruces for having high needle retention.
Blue Spruce evergreens are easy to transplant, which makes them also a good choice for purchasing a live Christmas tree to add to your outdoor landscaping after the holidays are over. They have a natural ability to live in temperature extremes, and are used widely as the sort of ornamental trees that can either add privacy to your yard or serve as a windbreak. The desirability of the Blue Spruce stems from its naturally symmetrical shape and gorgeous blue foliage that does not require much in the way of pruning and shearing. As the tree gets older, its branches appear to be layered. Blue Spruce trees are known to live in nature for as long as 600 to 800 years, and can grow as tall as 80 feet high! |
