Spruces. Many people opt to plant Spruces when choosing an evergreen for their yard. Evergreens make for good wind blocks, provide shelter for nesting birds, and add some color in Winter. Spruce trees also make for an interesting topic of discussion for anyone interested in debating the line between native and invasive plant species.
Two of the most common Spruces planted are the Norway Spruce and the Colorado Blue Spruce. The Norway Spruce is native to Europe. The Colorado Blue Spruce is native to North America, but not the Upper Midwest. It is home to Colorado and Wyoming, but it has been planted throughout the United States. The blue color of its needles makes it a very attractive plant. As for whether or it is invasive or native, for purposes of this blog, it's invasive as it is not native to the Midwest.
Two native options which can be a little more difficult to find are the White Spruce and the Black Spruce. White Spruce can be found natively in Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Its native range goes well beyond the Midwest spreading eastward to New York and westward towards Alaska and Montana. Black Spruce occupies a similar range spreading northward.
Black Hills Spruce
Finding native Spruces can be difficult, but a subspecies of White Spruce, the Black Hills Spruce, can be found fairly easily. White Spruce can be found in stands growing with Black Spruce, Aspen, and Birch. Spruce trees provide food and cover for a number of birds including: Grouse, Red Breast Nuthatches, Red Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks, and Pine Siskins.
Red Breasted Nuthatch Visiting For Peanuts
To help form a partial wind block at the northern end of our yard, we planted a Black Hills Spruce in line with an Eastern White Pine. They are about 14 feet apart. Between these two but staggered to the South we planted a Quaking Aspen. Each tree is planted near the center of a 10 by 10 square. Something like this:
| Pine | |
| Aspen | |
| Spruce |
This year we plan to fill in the empty spaces with other shrubs and native grasses to form a "no mow zone" at the North end of the yard, and to provide some cover for ground dwelling birds. If you have suggestions for which shrubs or plants we should add to our "no mow zone", feel free to send your thoughts our way.
I am wondering if either White Spruce or Black Hills Spruce will grow in my yard and, if so, which would be preferable. We live 1 block West of the shore of Green Bay in Marinette, WI. Below 4-5 inches of good topsoil there is nothing but sand down to bedrock. The areas I want to plant are probably in the sun about half the day in Summer and in partial to full shade the other half. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteYou can email me at lgselsor@gmail.com.
The blog had been hiatus for about year. I saw this comment and wanted to reply. "Black Hills Spruce" is a subspecies of White Spruce. I don't the distinction here will make much of a difference for you. Whereas "Black Spruce" and "Black Hills Spruce" would be different species. Check this article for more information http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=252801 I think so long as you can protect which ever variety of white spruce you choose from urban stressors you'll be fine. I have a Black Hills Spruce which was up to my knee when planted and now stands 6 ft or so tall.
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