Posted by Alice Visel-Jackson on October 5, 2005

Q: I would like to identify white spruce trees and instructions for transplanting them this fall in Hamden, Connecticut

A: The spruces are a bit difficult to identify unless you have their cones so this doesn't help with identifying young trees for transplanting. I'd get a tree field guide and see if you can use that to know the differences between White Spruce and other spruces. You haven't told me where you plan to get your trees but if you're getting them from a nursery, they should know exactly what species they have so your're sure. Personally, I think your choice is a good one - White Spruce (Picea glauca) are native to much of northern North America from the Atlantic across to the Pacific and will add a nice accent to your yard all year long.

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White Spruce are found on both wet and dry sites so your placement (soil-wise) shouldn't be an issue. Evergreens typically do some root growth in the fall so fall planting is an OK time. Be sure, however that the tree doesn't dry out over the winter. Evergreens transpire (lose water) in the winter and if they're unable to draw adequate water at this time, you'll lose some branches or even the entire tree. I'm sure you've noticed small, newly-planted evergreens that became orangish-brown toward spring - they weren't able to supply enough water to their needles and died. Again, a local nursery can help you avoid this problem. In fact, they even have sprays that reduce/prevent too much transpiration in winter that might be a good idea for newly planted trees.

Good luck and I hope you find exactly what you want.

John Wiessinger ( October 6, 2005)