Q: I am considering purchasing a Dwarf Alberta Spruce. It is about 5' high at this time. The tag says it grows 3-6" per year and will be tall and not fat.

The space I have allocated for a tree is not large and this variety would be ideal. After reading many entries on the internet, I am not sure if it is a good idea to have one planted in the ground in Anchorage, Alaska.

We have a marine climate, usually 65 degrees in the summer and not colder than 10 or 20 in the winter, although in recent years it has gone beyond both of those temps.

Please let me know as soon as you can as I need to make a decision real soon.

A: I see no problem for a dwarf Alberta spruce living in Anchorage. Dwarf Alberta spruces are a type of white spruce, which does very well up in Alaska.

In fact, the dwarf Alberta spruce was discovered alongside a railroad station somewhere in British Columbia, and its natural range is in northern climes.

Anchorage is certainly within its range, and it should be quite happy there.

p.s. My wife and I have been to your city (May of 2002) and it's a beautiful place.