Picea pungens--Colorado Spruce, Blue Spruce
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
Height: 60 ft
Spread: 25-35 ft
Form: pyramidal
Type: narrow-leaved evergreen tree
Annual Growth Rate: 12 to 18 inches
Comments: Colorado Spruce is a well-known tree, often present in landscapes in Michigan. Foliage ranges from a deep green to a pale, silvery blue. Several of its cultivars have bluish foliage, and can be difficult to find. The tree does not deserve all of its popularity. It becomes a very tall, blue-green tower, decorated with galls at the branch tips as canker diseases often disfigure the tree at an early age. The tree should be enjoyed while young - up to 30 feet tall - but should not be considered permanent. Colorado Spruce's best quality is its tolerance of road salt - it can be used near major roads, where many other species cannot. Consider using Abies concolor (Concolor Fir) or Picea omorika (Serbian Spruce) as a substitute.