{"product_id":"white-spruce","title":"White Spruce","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMinnesota's Native Spruce for Windbreaks and Wildlife\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Spruce (\u003cem\u003ePicea glauca\u003c\/em\u003e) is a backbone of the northern Minnesota forest and one of the most adaptable, cold-hardy evergreens you can plant. It forms a dense, conical tree 40-60 feet tall with short blue-green needles, shrugging off cold, wind, and poor soils. Excellent for windbreaks, screens, and wildlife habitat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhite Spruce Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003ePicea glauca\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite Spruce, Black Hills Spruce (var. densata)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40-60 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate - 12-18 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate; water deeply through the first two seasons.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-6 (Twin Cities is zone 4b-5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen - short, dense blue-green needles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -50F; one of the hardiest evergreens available.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood - deer rarely browse spruce; the stiff, sharp needles deter them.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative to northern Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhite Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWindbreaks and Screens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Spruce is the classic Upper Midwest windbreak tree - dense, hardy, and reliable. It forms a solid wall of blue-green to block wind and create privacy on rural-edge and outer-ring metro properties. Space the trees 10-15 feet apart in a row, or stagger two rows for an even denser shelterbelt around a Plymouth or Maple Grove property.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWildlife Plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a Minnesota native, White Spruce is a cornerstone of wildlife and naturalized plantings. Its dense branches provide nesting sites and winter cover for birds, and its seeds feed native wildlife - making it a top pick for habitat-focused gardens and conservation plantings in the metro.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBulletproof Native Specimen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy to roughly -50F, White Spruce is one of the toughest evergreens you can plant anywhere. As a single specimen it gives a larger Twin Cities yard a stately, dependable conifer that handles cold, wind, and snow without complaint, and its stiff needles make it dependably deer-resistant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant White Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an evergreen, White Spruce establishes best when planted in late summer to early fall - late August through mid September is the ideal Twin Cities window, giving roots time to settle before the ground freezes and reducing winter desiccation. Spring (late April through May, after the ground thaws) is the strong second choice. Avoid midsummer planting, and never plant after mid-October or before the ground thaws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant White Spruce\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper - in heavy clay, go wider still and set the top of the root ball slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan: if water pools in the bottom of the hole, break through the compacted layer or mound-plant to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20-30% compost; avoid creating a pure-compost pocket that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive a specimen room - 12-15 feet from buildings - or space windbreak trees 10-15 feet apart in a row.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3-4 inch watering basin around the root zone, then flatten it before winter to prevent ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2-3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept a couple of inches back from the trunk. Do not use gravel mulch - it offers no winter insulation in Minnesota.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering White Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1-2: water deeply every 1-2 days, soaking the root ball slowly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1-2: water every 3-4 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3 onward: water every 5-7 days through the growing season, easing off when rainfall is adequate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes (late October in the metro). A single deep soak in early December helps if fall was dry, since evergreens lose moisture all winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstablished plants need supplemental water only during droughts - two or more weeks with no rain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater deeply and infrequently, soaking to 6-8 inches, and let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill White Spruce survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithout question. Hardy to roughly -50F (USDA zone 2) and native to northern Minnesota, it is one of the hardiest, most climate-proof evergreens you can plant here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs White Spruce native to Minnesota?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. White Spruce is native across northern Minnesota, and the dense regional form known as Black Hills Spruce is among the most popular windbreak and wildlife conifers in the Upper Midwest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs White Spruce deer-resistant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Deer rarely browse spruce because the stiff, sharp needles deter them, making it a dependable pick for high-pressure western suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt matures to about 40-60 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide - a full-size windbreak and specimen tree, so give it room and plan rows accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNorth Star Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - a compact selection of white spruce for smaller yards and low screens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - a Minnesota native that thrives in cool, moist, and wet sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNorway Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - a fast, large spruce for a bold windbreak or specimen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeyer Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - a disease-resistant blue spruce alternative for a touch of blue color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many White Spruce Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a windbreak or privacy row, space White Spruce 10–15 feet on center:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (10–15 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11–15 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14–20 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a true shelterbelt, stagger two rows 12–16 feet apart with trees offset — wind protection roughly doubles. A single specimen needs 12–15 feet of clearance from buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhite Spruce Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright soft-green new growth tips every branch in late May, lighting up the whole tree while birds nest in the dense cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A cool blue-green pyramid adding 12–18 inches a year; the dense interior shelters songbird nests through the season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Needles hold steady color as the hardwoods turn; slim 1–2 inch cones ripen and start feeding finches, crossbills, and squirrels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The workhorse season — a -50°F-proof wall of green that breaks the wind, holds snow, and shelters birds when they need it most.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/north-star-spruce\"\u003eNorth Star Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — the compact white spruce for stepping the windbreak down near the house.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-spruce\"\u003eBlack Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — the native cousin for the wet, low stretches a windbreak row often crosses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/norway-spruce\"\u003eNorway Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — faster and bigger; alternate species in long rows for storm resilience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/meyer-spruce\"\u003eMeyer Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a disease-resistant blue accent to break up the green wall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs White Spruce Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant it if you have full sun, room for a 40–60 foot tree, and a job that needs doing — wind protection, privacy, or wildlife habitat — because no evergreen does all three more reliably in Minnesota, and deer leave it alone. It's not a fit for small city lots or tight foundation beds: this is a full-size forest tree, so go with a compact selection like North Star where space is limited.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#3 Gallon","offer_id":54281911271729,"sku":"GT-E1313AP","price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/white-spruce.jpg?v=1779469307","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/white-spruce","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}