Two years after the pioneers, under the direction of Brigham Young, arrived in Utah, they petitioned the United States Congress for statehood.
It took 47 more years, but finally on Saturday, Jan. 4, 1896, Utah was admitted as the 45th state in the union.
While tomorrow marks the 115th anniversary of statehood, there are some other significant horticultural events that occurred later.
Shortly after statehood was granted, the movement to get a state tree began.
In 1919, a bill to officially designate the blue spruce as the state tree failed, and later attempts were defeated as representatives of Box Elder County and Poplar Grove in Salt Lake City thought that trees named for their areas were more appropriate.
For many years, the Utah Legislature debated, and finally in 1933, the official sanction was bestowed on the blue spruce.
Curiously, the Colorado blue spruce became Utah's state tree. In 1939, our neighbor to the east decided to adopt the same tree as their official tree.
The blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm) grows in the Wasatch, Uinta and other mountainous areas of the state between 6,000 to 11,000 feet in elevation. It transplants easily and is used extensively as an ornamental tree.
While it is referred to as a blue spruce, in nature, about 50 percent of the trees that grow from seed are actually green.
For landscaping, the cultivars with the silvery blue color are the most popular.
The blue color is due to a waxy layer on the needles. In areas with more rainfall, the wax can be weathered away, which dulls the blue color.
If you have one or more in your yard, keep yyour sprinklers from hitting the trees to preserve the blue appearance.
The blue spruce is a beautiful, native tree. Its genetics allow it to tolerate very low temperatures, but those same genetics make it possible for it to get large — very large.
The blue spruce can get 80 to 100 feet high and 40 to 50 feet wide, which makes it too large for residential landscapes.
That does not mean, however, you must take this tree off your planting list. But it does mean you need to choose wisely.
There are some 100 named selections of Colorado spruce that range from under 3 feet at maturity to the towering specimens mentioned previously. Not all are blue, as there are interesting green, golden and variegated types.
Because of space limitations, I am only going to mention a few outstanding dwarf blue spruce cultivars. These are available in many sizes.
"Baby Blue Eyes" is one that I have growing. It will eventually get about 18 feet high and spread to about 8 feet.
"Fat Albert" is very blue with an excellent, pyramidal, natural shape. Dimensions are 15 feet high and 12 feet wide. It requires no staking or special pruning to get an excellent formal shape. And it is available at local nurseries.
"Blue Totem Fastigiata" is a very narrow, columnar form that will grow 15 feet high and 3 feet wide. There are other very columnar forms available as well.
"Hoopsii" is another popular type that has most striking silver-blue needles. It has a full, very pyramidal form and makes an excellent specimen tree. Dimensions are 45 feet high and 20 feet wide.
"Kosteri" is a large tree with a somewhat unpredictable growth habit. It ranges from a very upright tree to a more sweeping or even prostrate growth habit.
It makes a desirable tree because it is very cold hardy, drought tolerant and adapts well to many growing conditions.
"Globosa" is a popular dwarf type with a broad form and silvery-blue needles. It gets 4 feet high with a similar spread. It starts as a slow-growing, globe-shaped plant when young, but eventually it forms a leader and develops a wide but more upright shape.
"Mesa Verde" is somewhat different than the other types included here. The name means "green table," which gives some idea of its growth form and color. It stays very low and covers the ground with attractive medium green foliage. It takes full sun, harsh weather and poor soil.
Look at your landscape and decide if the state tree is a good choice for you. If you don't think you will plant one on statehood day you can contact your local nursery order one for next spring.
These specialized cultivars are plants that you can literally enjoy for a lifetime. They might be more expensive than standard-size plants because they grow slowly but the payoff comes with great trees that will beautify your landscape and outlive you.
Garden tips and events
Thanksgiving Point is offering a basic landscape design class on Jan. 11, 18 and 25, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The fee is $40, which includes a free 15-minute consultation on your landscape plan by a USU Extension Service Master Gardener.
Thanksgiving Point is also offering a solar greenhouse class on Jan. 11, 18 and 25, from 2-4:30 p.m. or 6-8:30 p.m.
The class will teach you how to extend your outdoor garden or become more self-reliant. Learn about choosing a site, energy conservation, construction techniques, heating, cooling, hot beds and cold frames.
Cost is $40. To register for either class, call 801-768-4971 or log on to www.thanksgivingpoint.com
Larry A. Sagers is a horticulture specialist for the Utah State University Extension Service at Thanksgiving Point.