The Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is a highly sought-after evergreen prized for its striking silvery-blue needles and classic pyramidal shape. It is a popular choice for homeowners creating privacy screens, windbreaks, or ornamental focal points. Determining the purchase price is not straightforward, as the final cost fluctuates significantly based on several factors. The value is directly influenced by its size, the method used to package its root system, and whether professional delivery and planting services are required.
Cost Variables Based on Tree Size and Maturity
The most significant factor influencing the price of a Blue Spruce is its size and maturity, as larger trees require more time and resources to grow. The smallest and most economical option is buying seedlings or small starts, typically under two feet tall. These young trees, often sold bare-root or in small pots, cost between $10 and $50 each, making them ideal for planting in bulk.
Mid-sized landscape trees, generally three to six feet tall, represent the next price tier and are most commonly purchased for immediate visual presence. These trees are usually sold in containers or as smaller balled-and-burlapped specimens, costing between $50 and $200. This size offers a balance of affordability and a moderate establishment period.
The most substantial investment is reserved for large, specimen-grade Blue Spruce trees, which stand seven feet tall or more. Trees in this category are almost always sold as balled-and-burlapped (B&B) stock and command prices from $250 up to $650 or more for an exceptional 10-foot specimen. The cost of these mature trees can be calculated on a per-foot basis, ranging from $120 to $180 per vertical foot, reflecting the years of nursery care.
Pricing Differences by Tree Packaging Method
The way a Blue Spruce is prepared for transport and planting, known as its packaging method, also causes a noticeable difference in its final purchase price. Bare-root trees, which have all soil washed from their roots, are the least expensive option because they are lightweight and require minimal labor and packaging materials. This method is generally restricted to dormant seedlings or very small starts, which must be planted quickly upon arrival.
Container-grown trees, which live in a pot, represent the middle price point and are the standard for trees up to about five feet in height. These trees maintain their entire root system, reducing the risk of transplant shock and extending the available planting season. A five-gallon container-grown spruce often costs more than a bare-root tree of the same height due to the potting medium, pot expense, and nursery labor.
The balled-and-burlapped (B&B) method is the most expensive, used almost exclusively for mid-sized and large specimens that are field-grown and harvested. The high price reflects the intensive labor and specialized equipment needed to dig the tree, preserving a substantial soil ball secured with burlap and a wire basket. A large B&B root ball can weigh thousands of pounds, significantly elevating handling costs compared to lighter container trees.
Professional Installation and Delivery Service Fees
Beyond the tree’s purchase price, separate service fees for delivery and professional installation can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the total project cost. Delivery fees are non-negotiable for B&B trees, as their substantial weight and size require specialized handling, often involving flatbed trucks and lifting equipment. These costs are typically calculated based on the distance from the nursery and the weight of the root ball.
Professional planting and installation labor is an additional expense necessary for larger trees, which cannot be planted manually. Small trees, under six feet, may cost $95 to $300 to plant, while large specimens often require heavy machinery like a tree spade truck for successful establishment. Full-service packages for planting a large, ten-foot Blue Spruce can range from $400 to over $2,400 per tree, depending on the site complexity and the need for heavy equipment. Landscapers may charge an hourly labor rate, often between $50 and $150 per person, or quote a flat fee for the entire installation process.