Black Hills Spruce - Monrovia
Best low-maintenance evergreen for homeowners seeking a durable, year-round privacy screen.
The Black Hills Spruce, a Monrovia exclusive, presents a striking natural cone shape and a dense, compact habit. Its new foliage emerges a vibrant bright green, maturing to a sophisticated blue-green. This evergreen conifer is exceptionally resistant to winter injury and provides valuable habitat and forage for wildlife. It excels as a standalone accent, in groupings, or as an effective windbreak or screen, requiring minimal maintenance once established. This slow-growing tree reaches a mature height of 25 feet and a spread of 15 feet.
$54.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
289
/ 1208
#289 in Trees
Price vs Category Average
-49%
Below average
Mature Height
25
/ ft
Who it's for
- Residential landscapers with limited space for massive trees
- Gardeners in regions with brutal, freezing winters
- Homeowners seeking a polished look without constant maintenance
Who should skip it
- Impatient landscapers wanting immediate height and privacy
- Gardeners unwilling to monitor for seasonal pest outbreaks
- Property owners with heavy, poorly draining clay soil
Performance breakdown
Winter Hardiness
Exceptional cold tolerance makes this a reliable choice for northern climates.
Maintenance Requirements
Slow growth and compact habit minimize the need for regular pruning.
Wildlife Utility
Provides essential shelter and forage for local bird and animal populations.
Deer Resistance
High natural resistance keeps browsing damage to a manageable minimum.
Visual Structure
Natural conical form provides architectural interest without needing manual shaping.
Environmental Adaptability
Handles various soil types well once the root system is established.
Key Specs
Mature Height
25 ft
Mature Width
15 ft
Foliage Type
Evergreen
USDA Hardiness Zone
02
Sun Exposure
Full sun to partial sun
Growth Rate
Slow
Deer Resistance
High
Water Needs
Moderate
Features
- Very resistant to winter injury
- Requires minimal maintenance
- Tolerates mild drought
- Provides wildlife habitat
- Dense, compact habit
- Natural cone shape
- Deer resistant
- Evergreen foliage
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of Monrovia's Black Hills Spruce. Reviewers highlight that the trees arrive healthy, robust, and well packaged, reflecting superior nursery care. The core theme is reliability; consumers trust these trees to establish quickly and thrive, demonstrating strong growth and excellent color retention even in difficult climates. While the price is premium, the perceived longevity and minimal transplant shock justify the investment. This makes it a highly recommended choice for dependable landscape additions, offering great value for those seeking resilient and beautiful trees.
Know before you buy
Since this tree reaches a mature width of 15 feet, you should space them at least 12 to 15 feet apart if you want them to eventually touch and form a solid, dense screen.
Yes, the Black Hills Spruce is considered highly deer resistant. While no plant is completely immune to hungry wildlife, this variety is rarely a preferred target for deer.
As a slow-growing conifer, it will take many years to reach its mature height of 25 feet. You can expect a modest increase in size annually, which makes it a great choice for landscapes where you don't want a tree that quickly outgrows its space.
Absolutely. It is rated for USDA Hardiness Zone 2, meaning it is exceptionally hardy and specifically bred to withstand harsh, freezing temperatures and winter injury.
It requires moderate watering while it is getting established in your landscape. Once the root system is mature, it is quite resilient and can tolerate mild drought conditions.
Yes, this spruce is well-suited for loam to fine clay soils. Its deep root system allows it to adapt well to these soil types, provided the area has reasonable drainage.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$55