How to Transplant and Care for a Serbian Spruce

Clear weeds and debris from a planting site that receives full to partial sunlight and offers well-drained but moist, nutrient-rich soil. Select a location with at least 60 feet of open vertical space to accommodate the Serbian spruce's mature height.

Dig a hole in the selected site with a shovel, making it twice as wide and equal in depth to the Serbian spruce's root ball. The hole should be at least 20 feet from other trees, buildings and permanent objects. Push the shovel's blade repeatedly into random spots around the sides of the hole to create slits that will promote outward root growth.

Slide the Serbian spruce from its container or remove wrappings from its root ball. Cut off any mushy, dark brown to black, dead or broken roots, using a pair of pruning shears. Cut vertically through any roots that are growing in a circle around the root ball.

Center the Serbian spruce in the planting hole, spreading any visible roots outward. Adjust hole depth by adding or removing soil as needed to bring the top of the root ball level with the surface of the surrounding ground.

Fill the hole halfway with soil, tamping the added soil firmly around the root ball. Fill the hole with water, and wait for the water to drain completely into the soil. Finish filling the hole with soil, again tamping the added soil around the roots. Do not overfill the hole or bury the Serbian spruce deeper than it previously was growing.

Pile soil into a 3- to 4-inch-high ring around the perimeter of the buried root ball. Fill the resulting basin with water, and wait for the water to soak into the soil. Use more soil to fill any depressions caused by settling. Do not tamp the soil while it is wet.

Spread a 2- to-4-inch-deep layer of mulch around the Serbian spruce, using a rake. Keep the mulch 4 inches from the trunk to prevent rotting of the bark. Cover the ground to at least 12 inches beyond the tree's drip line.

Water the transplanted Serbian spruce any time less than 1 inch of rain falls during a seven-day period. Apply 1 inch of water, filling the interior of the basin with the water. Continuing this watering routine until the ground freezes in the late fall or winter. Resume watering in the spring after the ground thaws. Water the tree throughout the fall and winter if the ground never freezes.

Fertilize the Serbian spruce with a 12-6-4 nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium slow-release fertilizer annually in the spring, just prior to the start of new growth, beginning one year after transplant. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 1/3 pound for every 12 inches of canopy width at the widest point. For example, if the Serbian spruce widest point equals 9 feet, then you need to apply 3 pounds of fertilizer. Spread the granules in a 12-inch-wide ring just under the canopy's outer perimeter. Rake the granules into the top two inches of soil. Water the area thoroughly. Stop fertilizer applications when the tree reaches its mature size.

Keep the area around and under the tree's canopy free of weeds. Replenish or replace the mulch each spring to reduce weed growth.

Examine the foliage each time you water for the presence of green-bodied aphids, or webbing spun by spider mites. If you find an infestation, mix 2 tablespoons neem oil with 1 gallon water in a tank sprayer. Pump the tank's handle to pressurize the tank. Spray the solution onto the infested needles, coating them completely. Spray the Serbian spruce every 7 to 10 days until the pests disappear.

Remove broken or dead branches as soon as they appear. Use pruning shears to cut through branches with a diameter of 1/4 inch or less; loppers for diameters of 1 1/2 inches or less, and a pruning saw on diameters greater than 1 1/2 inches. Make each cut 1/4 inch above the swollen ring of tissue, or branch bark collar, surrounding the base of the branch.