How To Get Spruce To Grow UP Not OUT

Question

30 yrs ago planted 2 Spruce Trees about 40ft apart. Both grew great with perfect pyramid shapes. One, still great… aprox 70ft tall. The 2nd stunted about 40 ft and started getting round. We think it hit a layer of caliche. It’s now a MASSIVE green BUSH about as wide as it is tall. Seems green and healthy but it’s girth is becoming a problem. Also seeing huge roots pushing up out of the ground about 3-5ft from it’s base. Is there anything we can do?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, your photos didn't come through. I am not able to get a look at the situation. Being well established like it is, it will likely be very difficult to shape by this point. If you do wish to make the attempt, then I'd only take 1/3 of the tree at a time. Starting with the lowest point, working up. You'll leave 1 leader. Keep in mind that this will likely never fill out like your typical spruce after this, and pruning will still be constant to remove any growth that starts lower down.

I'd continue to prune as it is if it were me. Some thinning might help, but you want to keep it manageable.

As far as the roots go. I'd leave them, as well. Cutting them would be bad, but covering them up to that point would cause its own problems, as well.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/spruce/norway-spruce-tree-info.htm