tree named ‘INHoopMo’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Picea pungens tree having a large, narrow conical shaped tree, all propagations develop orthotropic leader growth, and intense silver-blue colored foliage, as disclosed.

Description

Genus and species: Picea pungens.

Denomination: ‘INHoopMo’.

BACKGROUND

‘INHoopMo’ is a new and distinct variety of Picea pungens. ‘INHoopMo’ originated from a controlled cross conducted in May 2001 in a greenhouse in Boring, Oreg. of the female Picea pungens parent ‘Hoopsii’ (unpatented) and the male Picea pungens parent ‘Montgomery’ (unpatented). The seeds from this cross germinated in May 2002.

‘INHoopMo’ was selected and first asexually propagated in January 2009 in Boring, Oreg. via grafting onto an unnamed Picea abies rootstock (unpatented).

‘INHoopMo’ reproduces true to type in successive generations since 2009 of asexual reproduction via grafting onto an unnamed Picea abies rootstock (unpatented).

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Boring, Oreg.

• • 1. Large, narrow conical shaped tree
  • 2. All propagations develop orthotropic leader growth; and
  • 3. Intense silver-blue colored foliage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Picea pungens tree is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's overall plant habit including form and foliage. The photographs are of a 10-year-old tree grown outdoors in Boring, Oreg. and were taken in June 2022 under cloudy conditions. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the overall form of the whole tree of ‘INHoopMo’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the buds and needles or leaves of the tree of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the terminal branch shoot of the tree of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘INHoopMo’. The data which define these characteristics were collected outdoors in Boring, Oreg. in June 2022 on 10-year-old trees in Boring, Oregon. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

• Classification:
  • • Family.—Pinaceae.
    • Botanical.—Picea pungens.
    • Denomination.—‘INHoopMo’.
• Tree:
  • • Type.—Evergreen conifer.
    • Shape.—Narrow conical.
    • Growth and branching habit.—Large compact tree, single flush, with uniform branching pattern; no staking required; straight leader.
    • Propagation type.—Grafting onto an unnamed Picea abies rootstock (unpatented).
    • Height (from soil line).—250 cm at 10 years.
    • Width (horizontal plant diameter).—145 cm at 10 years.
    • Length of terminal 1-year shoots.—30.0 cm to 40.0 cm.
    • Length of subterminal 1-year shoots.—15.0 cm to 20.0 cm.
    • Diameter of trunk.—14.0 cm at 10 years.
    • Temperature tolerance or zones.—USDA Zones 2 to 8.
• Leaves (needles):
  • • Arrangement.—Radial, single.
    • Quantity of leaves/needles per terminal one-year branch shoot.—490 to 500.
    • Quantity of leaves/needles per subterminal one-year branch shoot.—200 to 300.
    • Shape.—Needle-like, acicular.
    • Apex.—Acute.
    • Base.—Attenuate, attached to leaf peg.
    • Margin.—Entire, smooth.
    • Leaf length, terminal shoot.—Basal: 1.0 cm to 1.5 cm; Medial: 2.5 cm to 3.0 cm.
    • Distal.—1.5 cm to 2.0 cm.
    • Width.—0.2 cm.
    • Texture.—Smooth and covered with waxy layer.
    • Pubescence.—Absent.
    • Mature leaf color for both upper and lower surfaces.—RHS 122D (Blue-Green).
    • Mature leaf color when wax rubbed off.—RHS 189A (Greyed-Green).
    • Petioles.—Leaves are sessile on a short peg.
• Buds: Buds are currently in the developmental stage and changing in characteristic. Buds are typical in size, color, and shape of the species.
• Cones: No male or female cones have been observed to date.
• Disease/pest resistance: No specific disease or pest resistance has been observed to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL LINES

Table 1 shows a comparison of the differences between ‘INHOOPMO’ and the commercial Picea pungens tree ‘Fat Albert’ (unpatented).

TABLE 1
Comparison with Commercial Line
Characteristic	‘INHoopMo’	‘Fat Albert’
Shape	Narrow conical	Wide conical
Size, height × width	250 cm × 145 cm	290 cm × 190 cm
at 10-years-old
Mature needle/leaf color	RHS 122D (Blue-	RHS 130D (Green)
	Green)

Table 2 shows a comparison of differences between ‘INHoopMo’ and the parental lines.

TABLE 2
Comparison with Parental Lines
		Female parent	Male parent
Characteristic	‘INHoopMo’	‘Hoopsii’	‘Montgomery’
Shape	Narrow conical	Irregular conical	Irregular flat-
			tened mound as
			an immature
			tree and wide
			conical as a
			mature tree
Branch growth	Orthotropic	Plagiotropic	Plagiotropic
type
Growth habit	Large and compact;	Large open tree;	Dwarf compact
	uniform branching;	staking and	tree; flattened
	no staking required;	pruning required	mound when
	straight leader	for tree-like	immature and
		habit	wide-conical
			when mature
Growth rate	30 cm to 40 cm	35 cm to 45 cm	10 cm to 20 cm
cm/year
Size, height ×	250 cm × 145 cm	230 cm × 135	90 cm × 105
width at		cm	cm
10-years-old
Mature needle/	RHS 122D	RHS 112C	RHS 122B
leaf color	(Blue-Green)	(Blue-Green)	(Blue-Green)

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Picea pungens tree designated ‘INHoopMo’ as illustrated and described herein.