Compact Spruce: variety description, rules for planting and caring for a tree, its benefits

Compacta Spruce is a popular slow growing conifer. Mature trees reach a height of 1.5-2 meters. They have a conical crown shape and small needles that rush upward. Due to the puppet appearance, spruce is often sold in nurseries as a Christmas tree. An additional advantage of the plant is undemanding care.

Tree story

Today it is not known for certain whether this spruce variety is authentic or a hybrid. There is also no information about who first discovered the Compact variety.The first mention of this plant dates back to 1864. This compact plant has a number of features and differences from the common spruce.

What it looks like

Compact variety is a dwarf spruce, which is characterized by a dense and fairly dense crown. Young trees are initially oval or broadly ovate. Subsequently, they become more rounded. Over time, the crown acquires a conical shape and becomes wider.

The attractiveness of the plant is associated with shiny needles, which have a rich green color. In this case, the length of the needles is 10-14 millimeters. Annual shoots of the plant have a brown bark. On top of the trunk are short skeletal branches. They are slightly raised up. At the same time, the lower shoots are separated from each other at a certain interval.

A distinctive feature of spruce is the same height and width of the crown. On average, they are 1.5-2 meters. However, sometimes the size of the tree reaches 4-5 meters. More mature spruces grow up to 6 meters in height.

Compact spruce is characterized by a slow growth rate, which does not exceed 3-5 centimeters per year. This variety is a durable conifer. Its lifespan reaches 150 years. The plant feels great at low temperatures and is able to withstand frosts down to -34 degrees. At the same time, the culture does not perceive wetlands well.

Growing and care

When preparing the hole for planting, it is important to make it large enough. It should be twice the root ball of the soil. In clay soil, it is worthwhile to provide a drainage layer measuring 10-20 centimeters of drainage. Expanded clay, crushed stone, gravel can perform its functions.

The pit should be filled with a special substrate for conifers. You can also make a soil mixture of 2 parts earth, 1 part peat and 1 part sand. When carrying out planting work, Kornevin or another root growth stimulator can be added to the recess.It is also acceptable to use WMD for coniferous plants.

The seedling needs to be placed so that the root neck is flush with the ground. After planting is completed, the plant should be well watered and covered with a mulch layer of bark, wood chips, sawdust.

Compact spruce is considered an unpretentious culture. However, to maintain its attractive appearance, you should follow some rules. A tree can go a long time without watering. However, in the heat and drought, the soil still needs to be slightly moistened. It is also possible to carry out sprinkling of the crown.

For top dressing, it is worth using special products for conifers. They include a balanced composition of trace elements. The plant does not need pruning, but it withstands a haircut well. It is best to carry out this procedure in late winter or early spring.

The benefits of such a tree

Compact often used to create group compositions. It should be used to decorate heather and rocky gardens. Also, the tree looks great in rock gardens and rockeries. The culture goes well with small trees and shrubs. In addition, the tree can be used as an accent.

Compact Spruce is an attractive coniferous tree that serves as an excellent decoration for summer cottages. In order for the culture to develop normally and please with a decorative appearance, it is important to adhere to a number of rules of agricultural technology.

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