Bruns Serbian Spruce Tree

Bruns Serbian spruce is an upright, narrow-pyramidal selection chosen in 1955 by the Bruns nursery in Germany. Its symmetrical branches turn slightly upward at the tips, while glossy blue-green needles show silvery undersides throughout the year. ## Form and landscape use The American Conifer Society distinguishes upright ‘Bruns’ from the separately named, weeping ‘Pendula Bruns’, so confirm the cultivar when choosing a tree form. J. Frank Schmidt describes a narrow pyramid about 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide, suited to a specimen planting or a vertical accent in a large border. Leave room for the mature crown and for access around the trunk. ## Siting and care Plant in full sun or light shade and moist, well-drained soil. Serbian spruce tolerates alkaline sites and urban conditions, but drainage matters; avoid persistently saturated ground. Water regularly while the root system establishes and during prolonged dry weather. Maintain mulch over the root zone without piling it against the trunk. ## Maintenance The naturally narrow outline needs little pruning. Remove damaged or crossing branches as needed, and preserve the central leader to retain the cultivar’s upright shape. Check foliage occasionally for common spruce pests and investigate discoloration or branch dieback promptly. [American Conifer Society cultivar profile](https://conifersociety.org/conifers/picea-omorika-bruns), [J. Frank Schmidt plant profile](https://jfschmidt.com/all-trees/bruns-serbian-spruce/), and [University of Illinois Extension Serbian spruce guide](https://web.extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/plantdetail.cfm?PlantID=238&PlantTypeID=7) provide additional cultivar and care details.