The spruce is a conifer that should, if possible, be pruned little or not at all, but it is still partially suitable for planting a hedge. The advantage is that it is evergreen and therefore opaque all year round.
Is a spruce suitable for a hedge and how do I care for it?
A spruce hedge is suitable to a limited extent, offers visibility all year round and should be cut regularly. Suitable species are Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Serbian spruce (Picea omorika). Plan a planting distance of 60-70 cm and prune at least once a year.
Which spruces are suitable for a hedge?
Two species are particularly suitable for planting a hedge: the Norway spruce (bot. Picea abies) and the Serbian spruce (bot. Picea omorika). As pot or container plants they can be planted from spring (March) to autumn (September), as bare-root seedlings they are best planted in early spring.
The planting distance within the hedge varies depending on the type of spruce. For red or Norway spruce it should be around 70 centimeters, for Serbian spruce 60 centimeters is enough. A spruce hedge should not be planned too narrow, so it needs some space. For the red spruce, assume it is around 80 centimeters. A hedge with Serbian spruces can be a little narrower.
How do I care for a hedge with spruce trees?
Freshly planted, your spruce hedge only needs enough water so that it takes root well. It only needs fertilizer, if at all, from the second year onwards. The first pruning should be done when the hedge has reached half of its planned height.
How often should I trim my spruce hedge?
Since a spruce tree needs a longer time to fill the resulting gap after a generous pruning, regular pruning makes sense. You should prune at least once a year, preferably in June. If necessary, a second cut is possible in August. It's best to use hedge trimmers (€24.00 on Amazon), you can't do much with small secateurs because they stick together quite quickly.
The most important things in brief:
- conditionally suitable
- opaque hedge all year round
- aesthetically not perfect
- Suitable species: Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Serbian spruce (Picea omorika)
- be sure to cut regularly, at least once a year
- Use sharp and robust hedge trimmers
Tip
Be sure to cut back your spruce hedge regularly to avoid any radical cuts that leave unsightly gaps.
