Question
I live in central MN. We planted a blue spruce tree last May. The tree looks OK but has not yet sprouted new grow this year. May15. Do you think it needs a little more time? i noticed other trees in the area have.

Answer
Newly planted trees sometimes will put all their growth energy into growing roots and the stems will grow little. Sounds like this is what is happening. To kick start new growth I would fertilize the tree. The best time is early spring after the last frost and up until about the middle of July. Spring is best due to the usual amount of rain that can water the fertilizer into the ground. Use a fertilizer like 20-10-10 which is higher in Nitrogen than a normal fertilizer. Make sure you do not use a fertilizer with a herbicide in it like Weed and Feed these will kill the trees. Use small amount like a hand full for these size trees sprinkled around the root zone of the tree and water in good. Evergreens do not need much fertilizer unless you are trying to use them as a hedge or screen and want faster growth.