Description
Black Hills Spruce is an extremely hardy pyramidal evergreen which grows well in a wide variety of soils. They are native to the southwest corner of South Dakota and are a sub species of the white spruce. The Black Hills spruce is hardy from zone 2-6. Black Hills Spruce is a medium grower, outpaced by the Norway Spruce but grows faster than a Blue Spruce. Black Hills can be planted as an ornamental, Christmas Tree, a privacy screen or windbreak. When planted as Christmas trees, they shear very well and produce a nice tree in a fairly short amount of time. It is said that Black Hills Spruce are salt tolerant however, browning of the needles can be seen when Black Hills spruce are planted on the east side of a road treated with salt brine. Black hills spruce transplant easily, readily taking off when planted in new locations.
Not particularly susceptible to bugs and disease Black Hills do get spruce gall aphids which can be picked off when the tree is a small sapling or can be controlled with a spray applied in early spring. Bagworms and sawflies are sometimes a pest. Needle cast affects black hills as much as other spruces and can be controlled by better air drainage and also by two applications of a fungicide one in the spring and one in July. Black Hills Spruce can grow to 60′ and a spread of 25′.
