There is a huge one at Quarryhill Botanical (since it's not from Asia, it's planted just outside the entrance to the garden, near the kiosk). Supposedly it is one of the sharpest needled of all of the spruces. I can't speak to the claim, but it sure is sharp....and it's a lovely tree.

Sara

Hi Sara,

Do you have pics of the quarryhill specimen? Also, accession date or provenance. Frank Callahan/Callahan Seeds most likely provided the seed source of this Mexican species during the late eighties and early nineties.

Johnny

I don't but could probably take some. I'm over there a lot. I'm a terrible photographer but I'll give it a try. I'll see about the accession date as well - it's not in the regular records, which I have here, since it's not from Asia.

Sara

Johnny, those seeds you gave me did great. They are 9"-12" tall now in the seed bed. I will post some pics. Very blue and sharper than razor blades. I dont remember the seed source you collect them from. I also have in my hand Picea torano from the Biltmore Estate. Those are also really sharp as well. How cold hardy are these? Should I protect them from severe temps this winter? We commonly get into the low 20's to upper teens.

Seedlings

Close up. Nice blue color!

Jason, no doubt that's the "finest bed" in the US, nothing less that spectacular!....Seed is/was a mix from a grouping of three specimen trees in Medford, Oregon with a provenance from Rio Otero, Creel, Chihuahua, Mexico.
2011 seed crop is likely the first produced outside it's native habitat.

The Picea torano should be more hardy than the "Chihuahua's"

This post was edited by conifer50 on Thu, Sep 19, 13 at 22:49

jeez this thing is gorgeous. Am headed to Quarryhill on Monday will try for pix.

S

Nice seedlings, Jason! The seedling bed looks like a big sedum :o)

Alex

Agreed! Super cool seed bed photo.

Torano is doing just fine here. 5b.

Dax

See the link below

Here is a link that might be useful: Picea chihuahuana of Horak CZ