Answers
Common questions
Dug versus potted, pickup versus planted, watering, hardiness, and what determines cost.
Why buy a dug tree instead of a potted one?
Spruce puts on slow-to-moderate juvenile growth of about 12–24 inches a year, so a dug 4–12 foot tree is already years ahead of a 1–2 foot pot. A potted tree is the size you plant yourself if you want to grow it on. Dug, ready-to-plant trees skip those early years of waiting for a windbreak or privacy screen.
What hardiness zone is the Peace Region, and will spruce survive here?
The City of Fort St John puts the city in zone 2b–3. White spruce is hardy to zone 2 and Colorado blue spruce to zone 3, so both handle Peace Region winters. The bigger risk is drying winter wind, which fall watering helps prevent.
How much water does a newly planted spruce need?
Water the root ball slowly and deeply: every two to three days for the first two weeks, then once a week through the first summer, twice in hot, dry or windy weeks. Check first by pushing a trowel 10–15 cm (4–6 in) into the root ball and water only if it is dry. Keep watering into fall and give a deep soak just before the ground freezes.
Do spruce trees need pruning?
Spruce rarely needs pruning. If a young tree grows two leaders at the top, cut the weaker one off so it keeps a single main trunk. Otherwise, only remove dead or broken branches.
Why do you dig with a tree spade and use burlap and a wire basket?
Digging with a tree spade keeps a large ball of soil around the roots, and the burlap and wire basket hold that ball together while the tree is moved and planted. Most of the roots come with the tree, so it settles in faster.
How far apart should I plant for a windbreak or privacy screen?
Plant spruce about 3 m (10 ft) apart in a row; anywhere from 2 to 4 m (6 to 13 ft) works. For a second row, set it 5 to 8 m (16 to 26 ft) back and stagger the trees. Keep trees at least 3 m (10 ft) from buildings, fences, driveways and overhead lines.
Do I need to call anyone before I dig?
Yes. Call BC 1 Call at 1-800-474-6886, or *6886 from a cell, at least three business days before you dig. It is free, and they mark buried gas, power and phone lines.
What determines the cost of a tree?
Cost depends on the size band, whether the tree is dug or potted, whether you pick up or we deliver and plant, how many trees you need, and site access for the truck and spade. Delivered and planted work is quoted per job. Call (250) 789-3340 for a quote.
Should I pick up, or do you deliver and plant?
You can pick up, or we deliver and plant. Pickup means you bring a heavy-duty trailer and we load the trees with our skid steer; dug trees are ready when you arrive. Delivered and planted is quoted per job. Call (250) 789-3340 to choose a path.
What is the difference between Spruce and Blue spruce?
Spruce is white spruce, a native northern evergreen: dense, green and reliable in a row. Blue spruce (Colorado blue spruce) has stiff, sharp, blue needles and a more formal pyramid shape. Both are planted as windbreaks and privacy screens; the difference is the look.
When can I plant, and do I need to call first?
The best windows are mid-May through June, once the ground has thawed, and mid-August to mid-September. A fall-planted tree needs a few weeks of root growth before freeze-up, so aim to be done by mid-September. Our season runs spring through fall. Call (250) 789-3340 before you come.
Privacy and windbreaks
Privacy is just a phone call away.
A privacy wall or windbreak of mature spruce, grown 25 minutes from Fort St John. Pick up a load, or ask about delivery and planting.