Brewers Weeping Spruce Data Sheet

• Common name: Brewers weeping spruce

• Latin name: Picea Breweriana

• Genus: Picea

• Height: 54 m (177 ft)

• Type: Evergreen

• Hardiness: Zone 6–8

• Conservation status: Vulnerable

Picea Breweriana, commonly known as Brewers weeping spruce, is a conifer native to northwestern USA. Its range extends across California and Oregon.

This tree is generally found at Medium altitudes, mostly from 1,000 m (3.300 ft) to 2,700 m (8850 ft).

The Brewers weeping spruce is a medium to large tree, growing to a height of 54 m (177 ft). The bark is thin and scaly, with a purplish brown colour. The trunk diameter can exceed 1.5 m. The needles are flat and 3.5cm long with a deep glossy green colour. The cones are 15 cm long and juvenile cones are deep purple, maturing to dark brown. Cone ripening takes 7 months.

The Weeping spruce has no known close relatives.

This is a popular slow growing landscape tree, often used for bonsai.

Pre Germination

These seeds need no pretreatment or stratification before sowing. Fill trays or pots with  quality compost and firm down gently. Spread seeds across the surface; around 25 in a 10 cm pot is ideal. Cover with 3 mm of compost and gently firm down.

Keep compost damp, not soaking wet or dried out. Place pots or trays on a warm windowsill or in a warm conservatory. Germination should occur at 1–3 weeks.

Post Germination

Once seedlings appear, keep them in a well-ventilated area to reduce the risk of damping off disease. Place in a bright location such as a windowsill. Ensure seedlings never dry out. Water logging should also be avoided; young trees hate wet feet. Brewers weeping spruce seedlings are small but sturdy and will give you little hassle. They can be separated into their own 4" pots at 15–20 weeks; by this stage they are frost hardy and can stay outside. Fertilization is not required up to this point. During spring and summer we advise using an NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer every 4 weeks.

CAUTION: Slugs and snails love juicy young pines and spruce.

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