Black Hills

Planting & Care for Black Hills Spruce

Preparation

• Best grown in moist, well-drained soils in full sun.
• Best performance is in cold winter climates with cool summers.
• It typically grows rather slowly in a dense, symmetrical cone.
• Starts out a green color and then turns into a blue-green tone.
• Great evergreen for wildlife. They like to use this for nests and winter coverage.
• Plant as a windbreak or a mass planting for a screen in the landscape.

Opening Plant Material

• Grow Bags - Remove bag by using a utility knife to slit up the side and peel off the fabric exposing the soil and roots. Plant the root ball just like you would a container plant. No trimming of roots is necessary for grow bags.
• B&B - Soak root ball very well. Dig a hole at least 6" wider and no deeper than the size of the ball on the plant. Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move trees by the tops.

Planting Grow Bags

• Plant grow bags in spring or fall.
• Notice where the base of the trunk flairs out from the tree. This is called the root flair. This root flair should show when the tree is planted. If necessary, add soil under the ball so the root flair is exposed.
• Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
• Backfill the hole with soil, making sure the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
• Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.

Planting B&B trees

• Plant B&B trees in spring or fall. A good indicator if you can still plant is if the ground is still workable you’re good to go. If a hard frost is expected be sure to hold off on planting.
• Notice where the base of the trunk flairs out from the tree. This is called the root flair. This root flair should show when the tree is planted. If necessary, add soil under the ball so the root flair is exposed.
• Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer
• Backfill ½ of the hole with soil and completely saturate the soil with water.
• Once the tree is straight and located as desired, cut and remove twine. Then, remove or bend back top ⅓ of metal basket. Lastly, remove exposed burlap from top of ball
• Fill the hole to the top of the ball with soil, then soak well with water and let settle.
• The top of the root ball should be visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
• Add mulch on top of soil making sure to not put mulch against the trunk or stems.
• See our link below “Handling & Planting Guidelines” for illustrations on planting.

Pruning - After Planting

• B&B & Grow Bags - Although it is not essential for B&B or grow bags to be pruned after planting, a light pruning for shape, to remove any broken branches from shipping, or to thin out a heavily branched plant will help in the transplanting process and in the appearance of your new planting.

Pruning - Through-out the Season

• This is considered to be a low maintenance spruce tree.

Watering - After Planting

• Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
• Beyond the 6 week establishment period, water once per week, unless rains occur.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Watering - Through-out the Season

• After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
• How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle) watering the soil only, not the leaves.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Go to our "Plant Features & Video Tab" for more information & tips on caring and maintaining this plant.