Comments on: Ezo spruce, again

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:08:08 +0000

Thanks so much for the reply, I really appreciate it. Thanks for the info about the summer protection. My tree is definitely in the “refinement” stage, so I’ve been doing the pinching you describe — about a month ago. I hope it was not too late — I have not see much backbudding as yet.

By: crataegus

crataegus — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:33:43 +0000

I was not able to have that link open. Spruce are as a group trained the same. You get good strong growth going, which may take a couple of years, then you can cut back to budding happening down the branch. Then you let those grow out. Very strong spruce will bud back on fairly old wood. Refinement, then, follows. So far you’ve just be using pruners. With refinement you’ll be pinching back the stronger shoots in springtime, when they are partially out, and leaving about 1/2 of the shoot. Approximately. The smallest you leave alone. If you try to pinch too late some spruce will not budback on the new shoot. And you wire in the dormant season. That is basic spruce work.

Some of our native spruces seem more resistant to drying and sun. Ezo is more sensitive. Keep it well watered and protect in the summer.

By: crataegus

crataegus — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:26:01 +0000

Branches are usually pruned in fall through late winter. Heavy pruning is done at this time as sap flow is low. Repotting is done as the buds are swelling. When you see needles it’s a bit too late. They are less forgiving than pines so be careful. Leave more root, too. And in general, Ezo likes a lot of water, like a deciduous tree, and should be protected from too intense sun in the summer.

By: fh05

fh05 — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:21:18 +0000

Mike
Great post and very educational. I like spruce very much but I do not have any because there is not much info on care of these. Could you please post some general care instructions. Is there a book or online source for this info?
1. What time of year do you prune branches? –
2. When do you repot? – my understanding so far is in early spring as for pines is this correct?
3. When can heavy pruning be done – prune thick branches?

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:31:58 +0000

Hi:

I’ve come into possession of a fairly old Ezo spruce. (At least, I think it’s Ezo spruce, P. glehnii. It has the short green needles you mention).

SInce I repotted it in March, it has been growing quite strongly, and clearly has been in need of pruning to maintain shape and develop foliage pad density.

Where would I look for Ezo-specific directions? For my other spruces (colorado and alberta) I have been following the detailed and clear directions here:

http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATP…gandwiring.htm

Do these same directions apply to Ezo spruce? Is there anything special I should know? Btw, I obtained Saburo Kato’s book on Ezo spruce, but it’s not too specific on pruning details ….

Thanks!
Dan

By: crataegus

crataegus — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:13:47 +0000

Ezo spruce are normally propagated by cuttings. They will take a long time to grow that way, however, it is not a fast-moving plant. But a worthy project. You’ll need a greenhouse or some method of misting to make this have high percentage of rooting. Bottom heat would also be a good idea. Use a heating pad.

You might also consider some of the native spruces, you have black hills spruce west of you in the Dakotas, and that has a small needle and makes a good bonsai. Also Engelmann spruce. Both these can be collected and then you’ll have an old plant to begin with.

By: Martin R

Martin R — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:56:38 +0000

How are ‘Ezo’ spruce reproduced? If only by seed then how large to they have to be to fruit? If by cuttings or grafting I’d like to know specifics. Martin R. WI

By: crataegus

crataegus — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 01:50:49 +0000

Hello Pauline,
This is a matter of dispute with myself as well. One of the commonalities among bonsai masters in Japan is a rather indifferent attitude to Latin names, or in reality, they did not know them.

So while I worked on a million spruce while an apprentice, I am still unsure of how many were Ezo. What I was told was there were two types, and I did notice a needle difference. The rarer type (species?) for bonsai did have a longer, grayer needle and the majority, which I took to be the Ezo, had greener, shorter needles. What species name is currently acceptable for those two I really don’t know. Good question. In Japan all spruce we worked on was ‘Ezo’.

By: Pauline Muth

Pauline Muth — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 01:41:47 +0000

HI Mike
Can you clarify something? I have been researching Ezo Spruce.
There seems to be disagreement about what the species of Ezo is.
What do you consider the species name to be?
I have been trying to locate a source of small Ezo for a number of years to create a shohin sized forest or seikei of them.
Pauline Muth

By: crataegus

crataegus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:37:49 +0000

Daniel,

Spruce may be styled in the dormant season, fall through early spring.

Michael