Spruce ID?

Found this at a tiny nursery... I liked its "pine look"  but I think it is a spruce...

Could anyone identify the species and exact variety?

This would help me decide better overwintering the little guy...

I don't know why the image rotated 90 degrees clockwise...

The photo is pretty unclear and not close enough to furnish details. You might want to correct those problems and see what happens.

My apologies for the unclear first picture...
I took some shots today that shows the little tree more...

Here they are.. right picture shows with my finger to illustrate size of foliage...

I'd like to know the exact species and variety.. Also advice on how to best overwinter it on my balcony 17th floor with Styrofoam box.. Zone 5b Toronto
Also general bonsai approach advice will be much appreciated too...



Vance, I just learned about you with your reply.. so thank you... you make really beautiful bonsai..simple and naturalistic with just the right amount of flamboyant detail...
The one on your profile picture inspired me a lot.  To me, it is one of the best bonsai tree I have ever seen

Thank you very much for your praise of my work. As to your Spruce It is really difficult to identify and try to suggest what to do with a balcony that high. I would suspect it to be White Spruce. The styrofoam box may work very well but I would suggest that the tree be kept out of direct sun light even if that means a shelter.

Howdy, To me these look like Doug Fir but that's just what I see ; )

Hello immAGinoso,

To me your tree looks like Picea glauca v. conica, Dwarf Alberta Spruce. It is very hardy, so it should be able to withstand your winter easily. I do not think your tree is ready for bonsai treatment as yet, it needs multiples years in the ground, or a large pot, first. Dwarf Alberta Spruce are very slow growing and even slower to put on girth. They are however very available as miniature christmas trees and easy to find in the holiday season. They can make fine bonsai, the late Deborah Koreshoff published a very nice one in her 1984 book "Bonsai: Its Art, Science, History and Philosophy." I believe it is still alive today in a collection in Australia, but it has been reworked substantially. These are difficult as bonsai, and not the best for beginners. They have very brittle branches that can be unforgiving in wiring, and they do not like to have too much root disturbance so keeping them in small pots can be a challenge. Otherwise they can be very rewarding.

I hope this has been helpful!
David B.

Here is a Dwarf Alberta Spruce of mine.  Sorry that the photo is several years old...

David Brunner wrote:Hello immAGinoso,

To me your tree looks like Picea glauca v. conica, Dwarf Alberta Spruce.  It is very hardy, so it should be able to withstand your winter easily.   I do not think your tree is ready for bonsai treatment as yet, it needs multiples years in the ground, or a large pot, first.  Dwarf Alberta Spruce are very slow growing and even slower to put on girth.  They are however very available as miniature christmas trees and easy to find in the holiday season.  They can make fine bonsai, the late Deborah Koreshoff published a very nice one in her 1984 book "Bonsai: Its Art, Science, History and Philosophy."  I believe it is still alive today in a collection in Australia, but it has been reworked substantially.  These are difficult as bonsai, and not the best for beginners.  They have very brittle branches that can be unforgiving in wiring, and they do not like to have too much root disturbance so keeping them in small pots can be a challenge.  Otherwise they can be very rewarding.

I hope this has been helpful!
David B.

Funny thing about Alberta spruce. They come from Canada supposedly but can't take zone 4 winters unless wrapped and protected.
I had one and it died from freezer burn.

David that Alberta of yours looks great, I can see the mountain scene behind it.

Yup looks like dwarf Alberta to me too. Here's one of mine.
Tough to keep in shape but makes nice wiring practice during the winter months

I like your too Dave. I did a similar slanting style with this one

Alberta Spruce is a cultivar or sub-species of White Spruce. Every once in a while you will see one that will revert to species right in the middle of the tree. The Alberta is a kind of genetic hi-cup.

David Brunner wrote:Here is a Dwarf Alberta Spruce of mine.  Sorry that the photo is several years old...

HOW DARE YOU POST A PICTURE THAT IS SEVERAL YEARS OLD !!!
especially when showing such a fine example of the species at hand !!!

the nerve of some guys !!!



that is a dynamite spruce there david !