Marianne's Response

Norwegian Weeping Spruce

I have a Norwegian Weeping Spruce that is getting a little out of control. This tree is 25 years old, and I am wondering if I can cut part of it back. I would like to contain it, but I don’t want to harm it. Will it hurt it to prune some of the branches?

Thanks!

Posted by Lynne Stallcop on April 17, 2024

Marianne's Response

Conifers like your Norwegian Spruce do best with minimal pruning but there are situations when removing a branch that lays on the ground (as in weeping varieties) or a branch is blocking a path or plant. The best time to prune your tree would be early spring but if you are going to remove an entire branch you can prune in later spring,   before  summer arrives. Follow the offending  branch back to the main trunk or stem and saw or clip off. You can also tip prune the new shoots that are light in color and appear in spring. Just snip off these fresh new shoots. From your photo I suggest cutting the longest branches that are on the ground back by a third to a point where they meet up with a thicker branch. It would be best for the tree if you prune just one fourth of the tree this spring, then each spring cut off another one fourth of the enthusiastic branches. This way the tree will have a better chance of adjusting to the pruning shock.   Lucky you that this weed blocking conifer loves where it is growing. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti