Colorado Blue Spruce: Heeling And Containers - Knowledgebase Question

Media, PA
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Question by cooley2
November 27, 2000
I've recently purchased a "baby" Colorado Blue Spruce. The tree is not quite 2 feet tall yet. We live in an apartment and the woman I spoke to at the nursery I purchased the tree from said that I can heel the tree into another container (it's already in one container) and cover it with mulch.

My question is, for how long can a Spruce remain heeled-in? We're planning on moving into a house next fall (2001). Should I replant the tree in a large plastic container in the spring of 2001? And if so, will it survive with the appropriate care until the next planting season? I'm assuming that if we move in the fall that I should wait to replant the tree until the following spring.

My concern is that I do not want this little tree to die before we can plant it permanently. I've heard that Blue Spruce grow slowly, and so was hoping that replanting it into a large plastic container would be fine until we can permanently plant it.

Thank you for your help! :)


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Answer from NGA
November 27, 2000
a complete water soluble fertilizer applied at a low rate during the growing season along with a top dressing of compost.

Finally, since holding a tree in a container is stressful for it, in my experience it would be better to plant it in the ground as soon as possible. It is often suggested that evergreens be planted only in spring, but a fall planting would probably be better than trying to hold it over another winter in a pot.

When you plant the tree, make sure to water deeply as needed to keep the soil moist until it freezes for the winter, and then water as needed to keep the soil moist (slightly damp but not soggy wet) for the entire following growing season and through that fall as well.

Good luck with your project!
a complete water soluble fertilizer applied at a low rate during the growing season along with a top dressing of compost.

Finally, since holding a tree in a container is stressful for it, in my experience it would be better to plant it in the ground as soon as possible. It is often suggested that evergreens be planted only in spring, but a fall planting would probably be better than trying to hold it over another winter in a pot.

When you plant the tree, make sure to water deeply as needed to keep the soil moist until it freezes for the winter, and then water as needed to keep the soil moist (slightly damp but not soggy wet) for the entire following growing season and through that fall as well.

Good luck with your project!

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