What Are Some Naturally Blue Trees?
Although Michigan doesn’t have an official state color, the primary color of the flag is blue. And it’s tough to walk around (especially near Ann Arbor) and not hear someone utter “Go Blue!”
There are no trees that actually grow blue leaves. But some features may cause the green leaves to appear blue. Two of the most common trees with bluish-white foliage are the blue spruce and the blue atlas cedar. And the leaves of some trees are coated in microscopic hairs that give them a blue tint.
So, if you’re a Michigan fan, or just like the color blue, let’s find out if you can show your support through your choice of foliage. Here’s a look at some naturally blue trees you can put in your yard.
Naturally Blue Trees
- Blue Spruce
- Blue Atlas Cedar
- Purple Osier Willow Shrub
Blue Spruce
The Colorado Blue Spruce is one of the most popular types of conifer planted in Michigan. Native to Colorado, Michigan’s climate is not as dry.
It grows well in any upland soil. Upland soils which are not designated as poorly drained, very poorly drained, alluvial, or flood plain by the National Cooperative Soils Survey, blue spruce trees are also drought-resistant and tolerate the shade very well, which makes them perfect to plant in the Wolverine State. People like them because they have a very clean and professional appearance, and of course, a blue appearance.
The one disadvantage to having blue spruce trees on your property is that, in Michigan, they are susceptible to blue spruce disease, caused by the fungus Rhizosphaera. You can use fungicides to control and/or prevent it.
Blue Cedar
There’s more than just its bluish tint that makes the blue atlas cedar a popular choice for Michigan landscapes. You’ll typically find blue cedars along stone walls, a bridge, or a ledge. That’s because of the way it spreads. You can let the blue-green leaves cascade like a waterfall.
Then there’s the weeping blue atlas cedar. It is native to Africa, and it can withstand freezing temperatures but isn’t particularly cold resistant. It flourishes in hardiness zones six through nine, according to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map.
It’s also possible to train it to stand on its own, with its branches stretching out like curtains. Depending on how it is trained, a weeping blue atlas cedar can reach a height of 15-20 feet. It’ll also keep your garden fascinating all year round for many years to come.
Purple Osier Willow Shrub
The purple osier willow shrub features purple stems and blue-green leaves when it’s young. It can handle moderate shade and dry soil. It’s usually planted near streams and lakes to prevent erosion. It can also be used to create a hedge.
Other common names for this plant include Alaska blue willow and blue Arctic willow.
Keep Your Naturally Blue Trees Healthy
Once you decide which naturally blue trees you want as part of your landscaping, you’re going to have to make sure you can keep them healthy.
Safari Tree can help. We offer all of the tree care services you’ll need. Safari Tree’s seven-step tree-care regimen is ideal for Michigan’s four-season climate. Our tree care program provides you with the necessary upkeep to ensure that your trees thrive throughout the year. Extreme weather, fungi, tree insects, and nutrient deficits are all prevented or controlled by our well-timed sprays.
If you’d like more information, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
