Oriental spruce Picea orientalis 'Skylands'
ABOUT
The Skylands Oriental Spruce is a striking ornamental tree known for its golden-yellow foliage, which contrasts beautifully with its darker inner needles. This evergreen conifer has a dense, pyramidal shape with branches that grow horizontally to slightly upward. The bright needles maintain their color throughout the seasons, adding warmth and vibrancy to landscapes year-round. The tree's new growth emerges in a luminous shade of yellow, while the older, interior needles take on a deeper green hue, giving the tree a lovely two-toned effect. The Skylands Oriental Spruce produces small, purple cones that emerge in the spring and add a decorative touch as they mature and hang from the branches. The cones start off with a purple color and, as they ripen, they turn to a more brownish hue. The bark of the tree is grayish brown and furrowed, contributing to the tree's overall visual appeal. Its unique foliage color and conical shape make the Skylands Oriental Spruce a popular choice for gardeners looking to create a focal point or add year-round interest to their landscape design. Its characteristic color and form offer a delightful contrast when placed among plants with dark green foliage or against a backdrop of a clear blue sky.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Pinaceae
Synonyms
Skylands Oriental Spruce, Golden Oriental Spruce
Common names
Picea orientalis 'Skylands'.
ToxicityTo humans
Oriental spruce 'Skylands' is not commonly known to be a toxic plant to humans. While it is generally considered non-toxic, eating parts of this plant is not advisable. Most conifers, including the Oriental spruce 'Skylands', contain resins and oils that can be irritating to the digestive system if ingested. Ingesting large quantities could potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort or irritation, including symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. However, usual interaction with this plant, such as planting or handling, typically does not lead to adverse effects provided that good hygiene practices are followed and plant material is not consumed.
To pets
Oriental spruce 'Skylands' is not typically listed as a toxic plant for pets. However, as with humans, it is not meant to be ingested. Pets may experience mild gastrointestinal upset if they consume parts of this spruce, such as needles or cones. This may manifest as drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea in animals that are sensitive or if large amounts are consumed. While toxicity is generally low, it is best to prevent pets from chewing on this plant to avoid any potential discomfort or complications. If you suspect your pet has ingested a significant amount and is showing adverse symptoms, it is advisable to consult with a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Yellow-green
Height
10 feet [3 meters]
Spread
6 feet [1.8 meters]
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Caucasus
Benefits
General Benefits- Striking Visual Interest: Picea orientalis 'Skylands', commonly known as the Skylands Oriental Spruce, offers year-round visual interest with its brightly colored foliage and conical shape.
- Durable and Hardy: It is quite tolerant to cold climates and can survive in hardiness zones 4 through 7, making it a durable choice for many landscapes.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, the Skylands Oriental Spruce requires minimal care, which is ideal for gardeners looking for low-maintenance plants.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter and potential nesting sites for birds, and its seeds can serve as a food source for wildlife.
- Vertical Accent: With its elegant, upright form, it serves as a striking vertical accent in landscape designs, ideal for creating height and depth in gardens.
- Shade Tolerance: While it prefers full sun, this plant can tolerate partial shade, giving gardeners more flexibility in placement.
- Seasonal Color: Its golden-yellow needles provide a splash of color, especially in the winter landscape when many other plants have lost their leaves.
- Erosion Control: The root system can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes or in areas prone to soil degradation.
- Privacy Screen: When planted in rows or groups, Skylands Oriental Spruce can serve as a privacy screen or windbreak, offering both aesthetic and functional value.
- Resistant to Pests: It has a natural resistance to many common pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments in the garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The Skylands Oriental Spruce can be used as a windbreak due to its dense growth habit, providing protection for smaller plants or gardens against strong winds.
- With its unique golden foliage, it can serve as a natural festive decoration around Christmas time, being an alternative to the traditional evergreens used in holiday decor.
- The tree's conical shape and standout color make it a popular choice for focal points in landscape design to draw the eye in large gardens or public parks.
- The wood from Skylands Oriental Spruce can be used for crafting small wooden ornaments or decorative items, capitalizing on the wood's fine grain.
- Branches of the Spruce can be used as natural mulch for acid-loving plants, as they can help to slightly acidify the soil as they decompose.
- Smaller specimens can be grown in large containers as part of patio or balcony gardens, offering year-round greenery in urban spaces.
- The resin of the Skylands Oriental Spruce may be harvested and used in the production of varnishes and adhesives.
- In regions where it is native, the tree can be used in reforestation projects to help restore natural landscapes and wildlife habitats.
- Its dense foliage can serve as a privacy screen when planted in rows, shielding homes from noise pollution and prying eyes.
- The tree can be used in bonsai culture, especially in creating larger bonsai specimens due to its relatively slow growth rate and ornamental appearance.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Oriental spruce is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Oriental spruce is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: The Skylands Oriental Spruce, as a conifer, typically symbolizes resilience due to its evergreen nature and its ability to withstand harsh climates and seasons.
- Endurance: Similar to resilience, the robustness of the Skylands Oriental Spruce represents the ability to endure challenges over long periods, much like the tree itself endures winter after winter.
- Strength: With its sturdy trunk and branches, the Skylands Oriental Spruce is often associated with strength, signifying the fortitude to stand firm against adversity.
- Hope: As an evergreen, the tree's ability to retain its foliage throughout the year can symbolize hope and the promise of life, even during the bleakest times.
- Eternal Life: The never-fading leaves of the Skylands Oriental Spruce can represent immortality or eternal life, a common symbolism among evergreens.
- Peace: In some cultures, evergreens like the Skylands Oriental Spruce are seen as symbols of peace and tranquility, offering a calm presence.
- Growth: Despite often harsh conditions, the tree’s continuous growth is a testament to personal development and the journey of life.
WaterSkylands Oriental Spruce prefers consistently moist but not soggy soil. During the first growing season, it's crucial to water deeply once a week to help establish a robust root system. Depending on weather conditions, mature trees should be watered every two to three weeks with about 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter at chest height. During prolonged dry spells, especially in summer, supplemental watering may be necessary. It's best to water the tree slowly at the base, allowing moisture to reach deep into the soil and avoid wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.
LightSkylands Oriental Spruce thrives best in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this conifer is an area where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, ensuring vibrant foliage and healthy growth. Avoid deeply shaded areas as this can lead to sparse growth and reduced vigor of the tree.
TemperatureThe Skylands Oriental Spruce is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, thriving in USDA zones 4 through 7. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to -30°F and is comfortable up to highs of about 90°F. The ideal temperature range for optimal growth is between 60°F and 75°F.
PruningPruning Skylands Oriental Spruce is generally done to maintain its shape or to remove damaged or diseased branches. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. Pruning should be minimal, as this conifer naturally grows into a pleasing shape, and over-pruning can harm the tree. Always use sharp, clean tools and make cuts just outside the branch collar for proper healing.
CleaningAs needed
SoilOriental Spruce 'Skylands' thrives best in well-draining soil, which can be created using equal parts of loam, sand, and peat to facilitate proper drainage and aeration. The optimal pH range for this soil mix should be slightly acidic to neutral, typically between 5.5 and 7.
RepottingOriental Spruce 'Skylands' being a slow-growing conifer, does not require frequent repotting. It is generally recommended to repot every 3 to 5 years to refresh the soil and to accommodate its gradually increasing root system.
Humidity & MistingOriental Spruce 'Skylands' is adapted to outdoor conditions, where it can tolerate a wide range of humidity levels. It typically does well in average outdoor humidity and does not have specific humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, cool temperatures; not ideal for indoor growth.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil; water regularly.
Hardiness zone
4-7 USDA
Life cycleOriental Spruce 'Skylands' starts its life as a seed, typically requiring a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Upon germination in favorable conditions—moist, well-drained soil and partial to full sun—the seedling emerges and begins to establish a root system while growing vertically. As it matures into a juvenile tree, 'Skylands' develops distinctive golden-yellow needles and begins to form its characteristic pyramidal shape. Once it reaches maturity, which can take several years, it starts the reproductive phase by producing cones—males releasing pollen and females creating seeds after pollination. The tree maintains its mature phase for many decades, potentially exceeding a century, during which it may reach a height of 50-60 feet and a spread of 10-20 feet. Over time, 'Skylands' will enter a phase of decline, characterized by reduced growth and increased susceptibility to disease and environmental stress, eventually leading to senescence and death.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most favored method of propagating Picea orientalis 'Skylands', commonly known as Oriental Spruce 'Skylands', is through grafting. This technique is usually performed during the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. In grafting, a piece of a shoot or a bud of 'Skylands' is attached to the rootstock of another spruce, ensuring that the vascular tissues align properly for successful attachment. The grafted area is then wrapped to maintain alignment and moisture until the graft has taken, which can take several months. This method is preferred because it maintains the true characteristics of the 'Skylands' cultivar, ensuring that the new plant will display the same stunning golden-yellow foliage for which 'Skylands' is renowned.
