how about the real thing ie an xmas tree with roots.generaly conifers and pines live in the wild in dence forests and feed of the top layer.this means that they generaly support each other and survive wind etc bye having plenty of neighbers.this means as trees go these dont have much of a root system like many trees.there is a realy nice blue spruce that doesnt grow so big but is the same shape and the needles are quite soft instead of sharp.

Picea pungens 'Glauca' ? If I'm thinking of the right one, it's gorgeous silvery-blue pine that would be lovely dec'ed up ;-)

i think were talking about the same one sid im just rubbish at latin names xx .

Probably NP - great minds and all that lol - I'm thinking of the one that's a really nice Christmas-tree sort of shape with the blue needles.

me to there quite soft to the touch almost got a velvety look about them.i dont generaly like conifers but in this case i definatly make an exception.bean a cracking day hope your well sid and bubbalou.take care bye for now xx.

Gorgeous day!! Sadly I've been stuck in the office, but I'm going to be released in 10 minutes WOOP! WOOP!

Who's Bubbalou?!

Hi Sis and Nosey,
Thanks so much for the suggestion. I have just googled Picea pungens 'Glauca' and it looks great, really nice. My concern would be will it grow too tall and wide so it over shadows the house and we can not get past it to get in and out? Is there anything that would have that conical shape but not grow more than 10 foot? Am I hoping for too much?
Cheers.

Or Sid.
Sorry

i dont think the blue one gets to big but if it does you mite be asking to much mate.

Problem is, trees grow. You could get one that grows slowely, but then it takes ages to reach a decent size for the purpose and it will still continue to grow once it reaches 10ft!! Might just be a case of cutting it down and starting over when it gets too big - Don't think they grow any more than, say, a foot a year anyway. You might like to PM GoY member Bluespruce, as he's the site expert on conifers and will defo know the best one to go for.

Nice one Sid. Good point about slow growth, What if I planted my chosen tree in a container in the ground? Woiuld this limit it's growth?

I have been looking at some pictures and Juniperus communis 'gold cone', Abies concolor 'archers dwarf' and 'lowigna creamy' all look the business but It's a questoin of are they available and where from.

I will take up your suggestion and ask Mr Bluespruce if you think that is OK for me to do that.

Thanks for your time.

Bullalou, Would be really useful to know how much space you have got before recommendations can be made. The ones you mention certainly wouldn't be my choice. 'Archer's Dwarf' and 'Creamy', I would have thought to be too slow, both plants would only be about 3ft (90cms) in ten years. The Juniper 'Gold Cone' makes a narrow upright cone, but branches are easily damaged and the plant can tend to open up a bit with age, so not really suitable to hang Xmas lights on. also don't forget conifers can be given an annual trim in late April to early May to keep them in check without spoiling their natural appearance if space is at a premium.

Bluespruce, thanks for the input, I'm afraid I've shown my ignorance because I was drawn to those examples by pictures without knowing their scale or habits.

The spot waiting for this conifer is about 6 foot square, more sun than shade with good topsoil on clay.
Ideally the tree will grow to be a perfect cone 6 foot at the bottom and 10 foot high, and it will be out of the ordinary and beautiful.
.
I hadn't thought about trimming. Are you saying I can trim any conifer to shape? If so, that really opens up the possibilities. I could even use a Blue Spruce!
Have you got any other suggestions? Remember it's got to be something the neighbours aint seen before!

I'm not really an advocate of trimming conifers to shape. What I am saying is if you know any given conifer has the potential to outgrow its allotted space, then selective pruning or trimming best carried out well in advance of it getting too large, and done in April or May means that the subsequent new seasons growth is not affected, and the plant still maintains its natural habit, if somewhat bushier in many cases. As for suitable plants, Blue spruces (Picea pungens & varieties) are beautiful trees, but not one of the easiest conifers to grow well in the UK. better choices in my opinion would be Abies lasiocarpa 'Compacta' has the same intense blue colour, slow growing, and makes a very dense pyramid in time. Picea orientalis 'Skylands' becomes a narrow pyramid of golden-yellow foliage, and has the added bonus of producing crimson male flowers, and small pendulous purple cones with a little age. Picea omorika 'Nana', a dense globose plant when young,becoming pyramidal with age. As it grows taller the silver underside of its green needles become more visible giving the whole plant a wonderful luminous two-tone effect.

Bluespruce, many thanks for taking the time to help me so comprehensively. Having had a little readup on your suggestions I am knocked out by the lovely plants there are and am particuarly taken with Abies lasiocarpa 'Compacta' .
So would you feel ok about recommending a nursery who could sell me a nice mature sample? I'm not sure of the etiquette of these things.

The two I would recommend are:
Jon Tate, at Lime Cross Nursery, Herstmonseux, Hailsham, East Sussex, Tel 01323 833229.

Derek Spicer, at Kilworth Conifers, The Belt, South Kilworth, near Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Tel 01858 575477.

larger plants are very expensive, hope you got deep pockets

I think Bluespruce has got everything covered for you Bubbalou lol

Sid - and how. You guys have really helped me out and I'm a bit over whelmed by it. You realise I'm liiable to hang around now and annoy you with more questions.
Many thanks and hopefully talk to y'all soon! It's just started raining here (Herts) which the garden needs but I've left stuff from a lovely weekend lying around so had better dash out and get it in.
Cheers.

I hope you stick around and keep us updated on your tree - decorations and all!! :-D