Brewer's weeping spruce naturally only occurs in a few small mountainous areas of southwest Oregon and northwest California, growing at moderately high altitudes, from 1000–2700 m (approx 3000-9000ft). Here it is very well adapted to cope with heavy winter snows, the tough branches and the drooping branchlets readily shed the buildups of snow and ice. It grows mainly on ridge-top sites with very heavy winter snow to provide a steady source of melt-water through the spring, but are dry in the summer.
It is a highly valued ornamental tree in parks and gardens, particularly in Western Europe where it is appreciated for its dramatically pendulous foliage. It is named in honor of the American botanist William Henry Brewer.
Although the Brewer spruce grows very slowly, typically less than 20–30 cm/year, it is a large growing coniferous tree, eventually capable of growing to heights of between 20–40 m (65-130ft) tall, exceptionally to 54 m (178ft), and with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 m (5ft).
The bark is thin and scaly, and purple-gray in color. The crown is very distinct, distinguished by level branches with vertically pendulous branchlets, each branch forming a 'curtain' of foliage. The pendulous foliage only develops when the tree grows to about 1.5–2 m (5-7ft) tall.
The crushed shoots have a resinous aroma. Trees will begin to produce cones and seeds from twenty years of age or thereabouts, the oblong purplish cones grow to 10cm (4 inches) in length
It can tolerate a degree of shade but will achieve it's best development in an open position. It is adaptable to a wide range of soils and climatic conditions and can grow on poor thin soils that are prone to summer drought conditions where other species do not thrive. Trees are shallowly rooted but can usually tolerate strong winds but not maritime exposure. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.
It is a highly valued ornamental tree in parks and gardens, particularly in Western Europe where it is appreciated for its dramatically pendulous foliage. It is named in honor of the American botanist William Henry Brewer.
Although the Brewer spruce grows very slowly, typically less than 20–30 cm/year, it is a large growing coniferous tree, eventually capable of growing to heights of between 20–40 m (65-130ft) tall, exceptionally to 54 m (178ft), and with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 m (5ft).
The bark is thin and scaly, and purple-gray in color. The crown is very distinct, distinguished by level branches with vertically pendulous branchlets, each branch forming a 'curtain' of foliage. The pendulous foliage only develops when the tree grows to about 1.5–2 m (5-7ft) tall.
The crushed shoots have a resinous aroma. Trees will begin to produce cones and seeds from twenty years of age or thereabouts, the oblong purplish cones grow to 10cm (4 inches) in length
It can tolerate a degree of shade but will achieve it's best development in an open position. It is adaptable to a wide range of soils and climatic conditions and can grow on poor thin soils that are prone to summer drought conditions where other species do not thrive. Trees are shallowly rooted but can usually tolerate strong winds but not maritime exposure. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Germination, Sowing and After Care Information for
Brewers Weeping Spruce (picea breweriana)
Brewers Spruce seeds are relatively easy to germinate and grow. The dormancy within the seed is short and easily broken and reasonable success can be expected even when seeds are sown without any form of pre-treatment. The benefit of a short period of pre-treatment is that a greater percentage of seeds will germinate and the germination of the seedlings will be syncronised with most seedlings germinating within a few days of each other.
The pre-treatment is done as follows.
Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. Fully drain away all of the water and place the seeds in a zip-lock freezer bag. Place the seeds in the fridge, it is important that during this period that the seeds do not dry out or are waterlogged otherwise the pre-treatment will be ineffective.
t is important to keep checking the seeds every week or so to make sure that they are not drying out. You could also at the start of treatment incorporate a little damp vermiculite or perlite, this helps to keep the seeds moist but not waterlogged.
After around 4 weeks under these conditions the seeds are ready to be sown.
Seeds should be sown into containers filled with a good quality general potting compost. Suitable containers could be plant pots, seed trays or plug trays or even improvised containers with drainage holes. Firm the compost gently and sow the seeds on the surface. If you are sowing in plug trays, sow 2 or 3 seeds per cell.
Cover the seeds with a couple of millimeters of vermiculite or failing that a fine layer of sieved compost. Follow with a gentle watering and keep them at room temperature. Germination will begin within a 10-14 days of sowing.
The seedlings are reasonably robust and trouble free and usually grow to a height of between 2 and 10 cm in the first growing season depending on the sowing date and cultural techniques.
Developing seedlings should be fine in full sun, keep them well watered and free of competing weeds.
Growth will accelerate in the second and subsequent years and the developing young trees should be re-potted as necessary preferably during the dormant season. After perhaps 2 or 3 years they are ready to be planted in their permanent position
The pre-treatment is done as follows.
Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. Fully drain away all of the water and place the seeds in a zip-lock freezer bag. Place the seeds in the fridge, it is important that during this period that the seeds do not dry out or are waterlogged otherwise the pre-treatment will be ineffective.
t is important to keep checking the seeds every week or so to make sure that they are not drying out. You could also at the start of treatment incorporate a little damp vermiculite or perlite, this helps to keep the seeds moist but not waterlogged.
After around 4 weeks under these conditions the seeds are ready to be sown.
Seeds should be sown into containers filled with a good quality general potting compost. Suitable containers could be plant pots, seed trays or plug trays or even improvised containers with drainage holes. Firm the compost gently and sow the seeds on the surface. If you are sowing in plug trays, sow 2 or 3 seeds per cell.
Cover the seeds with a couple of millimeters of vermiculite or failing that a fine layer of sieved compost. Follow with a gentle watering and keep them at room temperature. Germination will begin within a 10-14 days of sowing.
The seedlings are reasonably robust and trouble free and usually grow to a height of between 2 and 10 cm in the first growing season depending on the sowing date and cultural techniques.
Developing seedlings should be fine in full sun, keep them well watered and free of competing weeds.
Growth will accelerate in the second and subsequent years and the developing young trees should be re-potted as necessary preferably during the dormant season. After perhaps 2 or 3 years they are ready to be planted in their permanent position
