Two trees growing together - Ask Extension
Hi,
Three years ago I planted some black hills spruce trees in Leelanau County. One of them is planted about 2 feet from a nice oak tree, still young...
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Two trees growing together #809750
Asked September 06, 2022, 6:41 PM EDT
Hi,
Three years ago I planted some black hills spruce trees in Leelanau County. One of them is planted about 2 feet from a nice oak tree, still young. I have two questions regarding this spruce:
1). Can these two trees co exist? I hate to cut down nice trees. If I have to cut down one it will be the oak as the spruce trees are a privacy barrier planted to block my neighbor’s pole barn.
2) Compared to the other spruces nearby, the one I’m referencing (the one on the left) is a little thinner on top. Should I do anything to stimulate new growth or just let nature take its course? If you do recommend pruning, what is the technique.?
Thank you for your time and expertise,
Chad Rubenow
Leelanau County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Chad,
Yes, these two trees can coexist, and on your designated spruce, don't do anything to stimulate new growth. Just let nature take its course.
PLEASE READ THIS:
Conjoined trees - two different trees grow together. Both conifers and deciduous trees can become conjoined. Like your black hills spruce (conifer) and oak (deciduous). It turns out trees of different species find a way to get along with their neighbors by spreading branches out to fill in gaps where sunlight is available - they play off each other's shape. And that maximizes their combined ability to soak up the sun falling on a particular plot of land.
Trees share water and nutrients through the networks, and also use them to communicate. They send distress signals about drought and disease, for example, or insect attacks, and other trees alter their behavior when they receive these messages.” Scientists call these mycorrhizal networks.
Deciduous trees spread out as they grow. They spread their leaves wide to absorb sunlight. They have a more rounded shape than the coniferous trees. As the name suggests, conifers have a cone shape, which helps shed snow.
Deciduous trees have broad leaves that change color in the fall and spread their seeds using flowers. Coniferous trees have needles instead of leaves, they don't change color in the fall, and they use cones instead of flowers to spread their seeds.
For spruce, late winter to early spring for major pruning, light pruning anytime. Bottom branches may die with age, remove as needed. Shear only young growth; cutting into bare wood below needles can kill a branch. Broadleaf evergreens need little pruning.
Also remember, smart gardeners should not prune oak trees past April 1 to ensure their trees don't succumb to oak wilt disease. Avoid pruning until November. Oak trees comprise a significant portion of Michigan forests and are grand, valuable members of our urban landscapes, providing shade and wildlife habitat and food.
Yes, these two trees can coexist, and on your designated spruce, don't do anything to stimulate new growth. Just let nature take its course.
PLEASE READ THIS:
Conjoined trees - two different trees grow together. Both conifers and deciduous trees can become conjoined. Like your black hills spruce (conifer) and oak (deciduous). It turns out trees of different species find a way to get along with their neighbors by spreading branches out to fill in gaps where sunlight is available - they play off each other's shape. And that maximizes their combined ability to soak up the sun falling on a particular plot of land.
Trees share water and nutrients through the networks, and also use them to communicate. They send distress signals about drought and disease, for example, or insect attacks, and other trees alter their behavior when they receive these messages.” Scientists call these mycorrhizal networks.
Deciduous trees spread out as they grow. They spread their leaves wide to absorb sunlight. They have a more rounded shape than the coniferous trees. As the name suggests, conifers have a cone shape, which helps shed snow.
Deciduous trees have broad leaves that change color in the fall and spread their seeds using flowers. Coniferous trees have needles instead of leaves, they don't change color in the fall, and they use cones instead of flowers to spread their seeds.
For spruce, late winter to early spring for major pruning, light pruning anytime. Bottom branches may die with age, remove as needed. Shear only young growth; cutting into bare wood below needles can kill a branch. Broadleaf evergreens need little pruning.
Also remember, smart gardeners should not prune oak trees past April 1 to ensure their trees don't succumb to oak wilt disease. Avoid pruning until November. Oak trees comprise a significant portion of Michigan forests and are grand, valuable members of our urban landscapes, providing shade and wildlife habitat and food.
