Backyard Baby Blue Spruce - One Year Later - Needle Drop - September 2024

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Last Fall, I put in three Baby Blue (dwarf) Spruce trees.  Two in front - IB2DWs.  And one in back, next to the Greenspire Lindens that have been trained into espalier.   The one in back is in a spot that gets less sunlight and...due to my neighbor's irrigation system....less water.  (Note on that:  I'm pretty sure that the irrigation system that my neighbor has that irrigates his lawn puts down deep-enough water that it helps with my IB2DWs strip keep *somewhat* watered.)

The 3rd Baby Blue Spruce (backyard) is pictured below.  These are dwarf trees, so they have a slow growth habit.  Comparing the photo from last year to this year, I'm not sure this put on any new growth at all.    However, while there isn't a TON of new growth, there's two things to note: First...the 'blue' of these Baby Blue Spruce trees is REALLY shining out right now.  They're BLUE.  

Second...this one is suffering from a little needle drop.  On the backside of the tree - where I'm pretty sure this tree gets *very little* sun.  See below for a couple of photos - first one from the front.  Second one showing the needle drop:

Baby Blue Spruce Tree - One Year After Planting - Container Grown

Baby Blue Spruce Tree Summer Needle Drop - Zone 6a/5b

This is...probably normal.  Right?  I'm NOT certain, but....surely something to watch this Fall.  I'll also need to properly mulch this in before long. 

Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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