sitka spruce branch development

[AndrewC]

A quick question for the more experienced...

I picked up a sitka spruce at our local nursery (a reject christmas tree) and made the first cuts this evening. There is a particular branche low down that I want to keep and develop, but it currently has a long section (about 15 cm) from the trunk to the first green needles, then a puff of needles out the end. I've pinched back the tips and let it be in the hope that it will shoot new branchlets closer to the trunk. Can I expect this of spruce?

Thanks, Andrew.

[bodhidharma]

I have had Spruce bud back on old wood. I am not sure of the Sitchensis though as i have not worked with them.

[alpineart]

Hi AndrewC , its unusual to find a Sitka Spruce used as a Christmas tree. I had a Sitka and Lanka spruce many years ago , both were attack by curl grubs and died .I have several Spruce , Colarado blue and Norway , whilst they can back bud on old wood they tend to shoot from the underside more-so than the side or top . I would like to get my hands on another Sitka but have yet to find another . Any chance of a few pics .

Cheers Alpineart