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Two years after the pioneers under Brigham Young's direction arrived in Utah, they petitioned the US Congress for statehood. It took 47 more years for the state to be admitted and that took place on Saturday, Jan. 4, 1896.
Shortly after statehood was granted, the movement to get a state tree began.
In 1919, a bill to make the blue spruce officially designated failed and later attempts were defeated as representatives of Box Elder County and Poplar Grove in Salt Lake City thought that trees that were named for their areas were more appropriate.
For many years, the legislature debated and finally in 1933, the official sanction was bestowed on this tree. Under Utah Code, Title 63G, Chapter 1, the blue spruce became our state tree.
Curiously, the Colorado blue spruce became Utah's state tree. In 1939, it our neighboring state to the east decided to adopt the same tree as their official tree.
The blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm) grows in in the Wasatch and Uinta and other mountainous areas of the state between 6,000 to 11,000 feet in elevation. It transplants easily and is used extensively as an ornamental tree.
While it is referred to as a blue spruce, in nature, about 50 % of the trees that grow from seed are actually green. For landscaping, the cultivars with the silvery blue color are the most popular.
The blue color is a waxy layer on the needles. In areas with more rainfall, the wax can be weathered away which dulls the blue color. Keep sprinkles from hitting the trees to preserve the blue appearance.
The blue spruce is a beautiful, native tree. Its genetics allow it to tolerate very low temperatures but those same genetics make it possible for it to get large, very large. It can get 80 to 100 feet high and 40 to 50 feet wide.
That makes it too large for residential landscapes. That does not mean you must take this tree off your planting list but it does mean you need to choose wisely.
There are some 100 named selections of Colorado spruce that range from under 3 feet at maturity to towering specimens mentioned previously. Not all are blue as there are interesting green, golden and variegated types.
Because of space limitations, I am only going to mention a few outstanding dwarf blue spruce cultivars. These are available in many different sizes.
Baby Blue Eyes is one that I have growing. It will eventually get about 18' high and spread to about 8'.
'Fat Albert' is very blue with an excellent, pyramidal, natural shape. Dimensions are 15' high and 12' wide. It requires no staking or special pruning get an excellent formal shape and is available at local nurseries.
‘Blue Totem Fastigiata'is a very narrow, columnar form that will grow 15' high and 3' wide. There are other very columnar forms available.
'Hoopsii' is another popular type that has most striking silver-blue needles. It has a full, very pyramidal form and makes an excellent specimen tree. Dimensions are 45'high and 20' wide.
'Kosteri' is a large tree with a somewhat unpredictable growth habit. It ranges from a very upright tree to a more sweeping or even prostrate growth habit. It makes a desirable tree because it is very cold hardy, drought tolerant and adapts well to many growing conditions. It is one of the
'Globosa' is a popular dwarf type with a broad form and silvery-blue needles. It gets 4'high with a similar spread. It starts as a slow-growing, globe-shaped plant when young, but eventually forms a leader and develops a wide but more upright shape.
'Mesa Verde' is somewhat different than the other types included here. The name means "green table" which give some idea of its growth form and color. It stays very low and covers the ground with attractive medium green foliage. It takes full sun, harsh weather and poor soil.
Look at your landscape and decide if the state tree is a good choice for you. I don't think you will plant one on statehood day you can contact your local nursery order one for next spring.
These specialized cultivars are plants that you can literally enjoy for a lifetime. They might be more expensive than standard-size plants because they grow slowly but the payoff comes with great trees that will beautify your landscape and outlive you.
