Skip to Content

Blue Spruce Root System – Are Blue Spruce Roots Invasive?

Sharing is caring!

Blue spruce roots can get pretty big, ranging between 30 to 60 feet in their fully mature age. So it leaves many wondering about the blue spruce root system. Since the plants can grow so big, people often wonder whether the blue spruce roots are invasive.

In this article, we will address many important questions surrounding the blue spruce root system. So if this is something that you’re interested in, then read ahead to learn more about it.

Blue spruce Root System Explained

The root system of blue spruce plants is shallow. However, it is only relatively shallow and can adapt to the environment. On the other hand, these roots are not very deep. They grow as deep as 18 inches into the soil. The roots spread across a wider diameter. They are not invasive.

There are different types of blue spruce plants, each with its individual root system. However, the overall root system of this plant is shallow. So they can draw moisture from their surroundings. However, these plants cannot much deep into the soil, so you will need to water them in the dry seasons and when there is very little rainfall.

Read ahead to find out about the root system of different blue spruce plants.

Colorado blue spruce:

The root system of colorado blue spruce is shallow. The roots grow in such a way that they are able to draw water from their surroundings. The roots of these plants also do not grow too deeply into the soil.

The roots of Colorado blue spruce can go as deep as 2 to 5 inches in the first year. During their lifetime, these plants grow a root system that goes as deep as 18 inches.

Baby blue spruce:

The roots of Baby blue spruce are shallow. The seedlings will begin going into the solid at about 2.5 inches during their first year. And they will go as deep as 6 inches as they grow.

The roots will spread across a larger diameter. So the plant has the strength to withstand strong wind and heavy storms.

Fat Albert blue spruce:

The root system of Fat Albert blue spruce has a shallow root system. Their roots remain shallow even when the trees grow mature. And note that these trees can grow pretty tall and wide.

Yet, despite their shallow root system, the root system of these plants is pretty strong. These plants will not be easy to uproot, even by a strong wind or a thunderstorm.

Columnar blue spruce:

Columnar blue spruce have a shallow root system as well. These plants can grow as tall as 25 feet. Yet their roots will not go much deep into the soil.

Globe blue spruce:

The root system of Globe blue spruce is pretty shallow. They only grow as deep as 18 inches. But these roots will spread across a much wider diameter.

Dwarf blue spruce:

The Dwarf blue spruce have a shallow root system that goes as deep as 3 to 5 inches into the ground after the seeds germinate. And the roots grow up to 18 inches deep over their lifetime.

However, these roots grow outward, up to a much greater diameter. This makes the roots pretty difficult to uproot.

Weeping blue spruce:

Weeping blue spruce plants also have a shallow root system. Their roots spread across a wide diameter.

Blue diamond spruce:

The root system of blue diamond spruce is also shallow. They will not go too deep into the soil. So the roots are not very long. But they are strong and spread across a wide radius.

Does Blue spruce have deep roots?

No, blue spruce do not have deep roots. In fact, they have a pretty shallow root system. Their roots do not go very deep into the soil. Rather, they grow outward and spread across a wide diameter.

This nature of the root system of the blue spruce allows the trees to stand firmly on the ground. They are not easy to uproot, despite their shallow root system. In addition, the trees grow pretty tall and wide. Allowing a wide diameter of shadow under them.

Note that these trees can live for a long time. And if you allow them a lifespan of 50 years, they will attain their full maturity by then. Till that age, their root system keeps on expanding both downward and outward.

How Deep Are Blue spruce Roots?

The blue spruce roots are not very deep. Their roots grow about 2 to 3 inches deep after the seeds have germinated. The roots keep on growing as long as the plants keep on growing, that is, up until they are fully mature. The blue spruce roots go as deep as 18 inches.

And the roots spread up to a diameter of 4 to 11 inches. It will be ideal to plant a blue spruce tree at least 20 to 25 inches away from a foundation or pipes. While these plants are not invasive, their roots are pretty strong and can grow on the cracks of a pipe.

What type of root system does a blue spruce have?

Let’s take a closer look at the type of root system that blue spruce have:

Shallow:

The roots of these plants are pretty shallow. They will grow only about 2 to 3 inches after the seeds have germinated. After the first year, the roots will begin to expand and grow outward.

The roots do not go too deep into the soil. The blue spruce roots can go about 18 inches deep. In addition, the plant also consumes water from its surrounding using its roots.

Wide:

The roots of the blue spruce plants can expand across a diameter of about 11 to 14 inches. This is why it is pretty hard to uproot these plants. They are also able to withstand strong wind and heavy storms. Their roots are also pretty strong.

How big are Blue spruce roots?

The roots of blue spruce roots are not as big as you’d assume looking at their massive features. The plant is quite big in size. In comparison, their roots are pretty shallow.

The roots of these plants expand only upto a diameter of 14 inches. And the blue spruce roots can dig into a depth of about 18 inches.

Are Blue spruce Roots Invasive?

No, blue spruce roots are not invasive in general. These roots grow pretty slowly, so they will not aggressively attack another plant or pipes. You will be allowed enough time to remove any potential barriers from out of their way.

However, the roots have a tendency to grow through any cracks or damaged parts of a standing structure, such as pipes. So if you notice any cracks in pipes that are placed near a blue spruce plant, it would be ideal to fix them.

Can Blue spruce roots damage foundation or pipes?

If you plant the tree too close to a house, then there is a risk that their roots may damage the foundation or pipes. The roots of blue spruce plants grow both outward and downward. The roots grow upto a diameter of 11 to 14 inches.

So you should allow them enough space to expand along the diameter. And if there are some establishments that fall in their way of growth, the roots may invade a foundation or pipes.

Do Blue spruce spread or multiply?

Blue spruce spread across a wide diameter. They grow outward until they are fully mature.

Also, do not plant these trees too close to your house or any other establishment. Otherwise, the roots will not have enough room to grow. They may even damage parts of the house foundation on their way to full maturity.

How far do blue spruce roots spread?

The blue spruce roots spread across a wide diameter. The roots spread as far as 11 to 14 inches. They keep on spreading until the plant is fully mature. After that, the growth of the roots stops.

These trees grow very tall and wide. This means, they definitely have a root system that spreads outward, covering a large diameter. But despite their shallow root system, these plants are pretty wind-firm. They can withstand strong wind and storms.

Final Thoughts

Blue spruce plants have a shallow root system. The roots grow upto a depth of 18 inches and spread up to 14 inches. However, these plants are not invasive. However, they may damage pipes and foundations if these structures are too close to the plant. 

Sharing is caring!