Spruce tree in a pot

[babysprucesuprise]

Fellow gardeners! I'm new to this forum so just offering (or should I say ofFIRing, since we are discussing trees) up a friendly hello!

I recently came to own a small spruce tree. It is probably 5 inches tall and in a small pot. I was wondering how long one can typically keep a spruce tree in a contained before having to actually plant it.

Many thanks!

[Theclowndog]

Depends on several factors. First, it should be kept outdoors. You want it to go through all the typical seasons it would experience in the ground. 2nd, pot size. It should be in a pot big enough that it can grow, upsizing as needed. 3rd, protect the roots from hard freezes by either directly burying the entire pot each fall or keep it in an unheated area away from direct wind (i.e. garage or shed). If you do these things you can probably keep it potted until 4-5' tall.