Their habit is a strong vertical line, which can strengthen the visual appeal of home landscapes. Cultivars have been developed that fit small, intimate landscapes. When young, the trees are thick and dense. As the trees mature, every effort shuld be taken to retain the lower branches to protect their symmetry and quality. If lower branches are removed in an attempt to maintain turf close to the trunk, their landscape effectiveness is destroyed.
All spruce are sun-loving plants.
Shade or competition from other trees will cause thinning, decline, or death. They should not be used as an understory tree like our native hemlock. Spruce grows best in fertile, moist, yet well-drained soil. There are a few insect and disease pests associated with spruce. However, I find that trees planted in the proper location that have been given reasonable care are not as likely to be affected with pests.