tree

Golden Oriental Spruce

Picea orientalis 'Aurea'

Add To My Wish List

 
Golden Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis 'Aurea') at Millcreek Gardens

Golden Oriental Spruce foliage

Golden Oriental Spruce foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  60 feet

Spread:  25 feet

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  5a

Description:

A most magnificent specimen, this is a tall, upright spire-like evergreen with dense, dark green foliage which emerges a showy yellow, branches have a gracefully pendant habit, a great tree for introducing emphatic color and form to the landscape

Ornamental Features

Golden Oriental Spruce is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage which emerges yellow in spring. The needles are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The rough brown bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Golden Oriental Spruce is a dense evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Golden Oriental Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Golden Oriental Spruce will grow to be about 60 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a low canopy, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Articulation 
Applications
Foliage Color  Plant Form  Bark  Winter Value 
Ornamental Features