Colorado Blue Spruce Tree

Why Colorado Blue Spruce Trees?

With silvery blue-green needles year-round and a sleek, pyramidal silhouette, the Colorado Blue Spruce is one of the most recognizable evergreens you can plant. Its columnar shape and stiff, crisp, blue-green needles set it apart from other conifers, and its cold hardiness is exceptional: this tree tolerates temperatures down to -40°F and thrives in Zones 2-7. It's also deer resistant and moderately drought tolerant once established.

The Colorado Blue Spruce, once established, adapts well to a range of soils, from clay to loam to sandy, but they still prefer well draining soil, especially when first transplanted. Its widespread, deeper root system helps it withstand wind better than most other spruce varieties — making it a strong choice for windbreaks and privacy screens planted in a row. Growth is steady and predictable at 12 to 24 inches per year, with uniform, symmetrical branching that fills in evenly over time. Left to grow, it can live for hundreds of years, and its dense branches offer food and shelter to birds like siskins, crossbills, and nuthatches. Light brown cones, 3 to 4 inches long, cluster in the upper crown and add a festive touch heading into the holidays.

One thing worth knowing before you plant: this tree does best with full sun and good air circulation. In humid climates or shady, poorly-ventilated spots, it can become susceptible to needle cast, a fungal disease that causes needle loss and doesn't reverse itself once it takes hold. Colorado Blue Spruces naturally grow in cool climates in the Southern Rocky Mountains, so they often struggle, and are short lived in warmer climates with hot, intense summers. Giving it space from other trees and structures, and avoiding low or consistently wet areas, goes a long way toward keeping your Colorado Blue healthy for the long haul.

Why Trees.com?

Your Colorado Blue Spruce leaves our nursery with a healthier, more developed root system than you'd typically find from a big-box store, because we grow and nurture every tree for months before it ships — not just until it looks sellable.

Every tree we ship is backed by our Alive & Thrive Guarantee™, and our Plant Experts are ready to help with questions about siting, spacing, or spotting early signs of needle cast as your tree settles in.