White Spruce Tree

Picea glauca

Nature Hills Nursery

Extremely Hardy White Spruce Thrives in Cold Climates Where Other Trees Fail
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 2-6
Grows 40-50 ft Tall, 20-30 ft Wide
Evergreen Year-Round Color and Privacy
Deer Resistant, Heat Tolerant

$46¹²

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Plant Size

Eco Pot | 1-2 ft

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: White Spruce thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to maintain its dense, pyramidal shape. While it can tolerate light shade, the foliage will likely become thinner and the growth rate will slow down significantly.
Soil: These trees prefer moist, well drained loamy soils but are famous for their adaptability to tough conditions. If you have heavy clay, mix in organic compost at planting to improve drainage, as "wet feet" can lead to root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter every week to help the deep taproot establish. Once mature, the White Spruce is remarkably drought tolerant, though inconsistent moisture during extreme heat can lead to needle drop or stunted new growth. Think of supplemental water during droughts as an insurance policy for the tree's vibrant blue green color.

Pruning Tips

Since these evergreens grow from a central leader and bloom on old wood, pruning is rarely necessary except to remove dead or broken branches. If you want to encourage a thicker look, "candle prune" by pinching off half of the soft new growth in late spring before the needles harden. This technique acts like a haircut that tells the tree to grow outward rather than just upward, resulting in a much fuller appearance.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release evergreen fertilizer in early spring just as the new buds begin to swell. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall, as this encourages soft new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first hard freeze. This tender growth is easily damaged by winter burn, which can turn your beautiful needles brown by spring.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Native, Evergreen, Deer-resistant, Salt Tolerant, Drought resistant, Hedge/Screen
Hardiness Zone	2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	40-50 ft
Width	20-30 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Spruce
Botanical Name	Picea glauca
Species	glauca
Class	Pinopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

A Spruce by many names, the White Spruce tree (Picea glauca) is a resilient native evergreen that has many common names! Including the Western White Spruce, Canadian Spruce, Alberta Spruce, Alberta White Spruce, Black Hills Spruce, Skunk Spruce, Cat Spruce, and Porsild Spruce!

With so many names, you'd think this tree would have an identity crisis, but this conifer is a very hardy, well-known US native and a beautiful Christmas tree! The wood is often used for pulpwood, lumber, furniture, and boxes and crates. White Spruce tree is an important source of food for wildlife, such as grouse and seed-eating birds.

White Spruce trees have a cone-shaped crown, and when grown in an open space, they develop a conical crown with maturity with branches that extend nearly to the ground. The conical crown and spreading branches have a fantastic landscape presence. Thriving in the cooler, moist climates of USDA planting zones 2 to 6, these conifers can grow 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide at their base.

Planting and Application:

The soft green to blue-green needles with white lines on all sides make these evergreens stand out from the other darker varieties! The classic Christmas tree for your front lawn, ready to be decorated for the holidays and happily growing with a dusting of snow. The strong limbs resist wind and heavy snow loads, so Spruce is perfect as steady windbreaks and block drifting snow.

These are fantastic wildlife and songbird sanctuaries, providing year-round nesting and cover among their dense branches. Mix and match White Spruce in your shelterbelts with other faster-growing evergreen varieties to create a patchwork of greenery along your property line.

When the needle-shaped leaves are crushed, the needles have a disagreeable odor, thus, the common name of Skunk Spruce or Cat Spruce! But you won't mind because of the lasting, commanding presence and privacy these trees lend the landscape!

Soft Green to Blue-Green Spikey Short Needles
Needles From Around Entire Stem
Hardy Native Evergreen Tree
Important Wildlife & Songbird Value
Landscape Specimens, Windebreaks, Snowdrift Barriers & Shelterbelts

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Spruce trees handle a wider variety of sun, not minding a touch of shade when young, knowing they will outlive many other trees and have their time to shine in full sun when they are taller. Very adaptable to many soil types as long as they are well-drained, Spruces need regular moisture while they are getting established, but then become vigorous growing low-moisture needs trees! All plants appreciate 3-4 inches of arborist mulch over their roots.

Avoid pruning except in early spring to remove dead, damaged, or very wayward branches. All Spruce have buds along the last year's growth so simply shortening up the outside growth back to another bud or branch will grow from that pruning spot. You should never remove branches from the bottom of the plants as they will not regrow new branches along the trunk.

Full Sun & Some Part Shade
Moderate to Low Moisture Needs
Any Well-Drained Soil Location
Avoid Pruning - Only Prune Dead/Broken Branches
Incredibly Cold-Hardy & Drought-Tolerant

Add this hardy and iconic evergreen to your landscape for a lifetime of rugged low-maintenance native beauty! Order White Spruce Trees today from NatureHills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the growth rate of White Spruce trees?

White Spruce trees have a slow to moderate growth rate, typically adding 12-24 inches per year. These hardy conifers reach their full size of 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide over several decades. Plan for long-term growth when spacing your trees, especially in zones 2-6 where they thrive best.

Can White Spruce trees tolerate full sun or partial shade?

White Spruce trees thrive in full sun to partial shade, with best growth in open spaces where they develop their classic conical shape. These hardy natives perform well in zones 2-6 and adapt to various light conditions. For optimal windbreak performance, plant in full sun locations available at naturehills.com.

How much water does a newly planted White Spruce need, and is it drought-tolerant once established?

Newly planted White Spruce trees need consistent moisture for the first year, requiring deep watering 1-2 times weekly. While they prefer cooler, moist climates in zones 2-6, established trees develop moderate drought tolerance after 2-3 years. Water deeply at the base and mulch around the tree to retain soil moisture.

What are the fertilizing requirements for White Spruce?

White Spruce trees typically don't require regular fertilizing once established in zones 2-6. These hardy natives prefer natural soil conditions and can actually be stressed by over-fertilization. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer only if soil tests show deficiencies.

How do I properly plant a White Spruce sapling, including hole size and root preparation?

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the container height. Gently loosen circling roots and plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot. Plant in fall or early spring in zones 2-6 for best establishment. Shop quality White Spruce saplings at naturehills.com.

Will a White Spruce grow well in clay or poorly drained soil?

White Spruce prefers well-drained, moist soils and will struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged conditions. These hardy conifers thrive in zones 2-6 with good drainage to support their 50-foot mature height. Improve clay soils with organic matter or choose a slightly elevated planting site for better drainage.

Can I use a White Spruce as a living Christmas tree?

White Spruce makes an excellent living Christmas tree with its classic conical shape and strong branches that support decorations well. These hardy trees thrive in zones 2-6 and develop dense, ground-sweeping branches perfect for holiday displays. Plant it in your front yard where it can serve as your permanent outdoor Christmas tree for years to come.

How is White Spruce shipped—bare root, potted, or balled and burlap?

White Spruce trees are typically shipped as potted plants or balled and burlapped specimens, depending on size and season. Smaller trees often come potted for easier handling, while larger specimens are balled and burlapped. Plant in zones 2-6 during spring or fall for best establishment.

How cold hardy is White Spruce, and can it survive harsh winters?

White Spruce is extremely cold hardy, thriving in USDA zones 2-6 and handling the harshest winters with ease. Their strong limbs naturally resist heavy snow loads and damaging winds. Plant them as windbreaks to protect your property from winter weather.

Are White Spruce trees prone to pests or diseases, and how do I check for healthy stock before buying?

White Spruce trees are generally hardy and disease-resistant in zones 2-6, though they can be susceptible to spruce budworm and needle cast in humid conditions. When buying, look for trees with vibrant soft green to blue-green needles, sturdy branching, and no yellowing or bare spots on the foliage.

White Spruce Tree

Picea glauca