Dwarf alberta spruces (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) are so common but have you ever seen this happen to one? It’s wild. My understanding from a little research (a good source is Michigan State’s Extension article on this) is that it’s a “reversion” back from a genetic mutation. These little guys sometimes want to be a white spruce again! If you prune these bits off early you can keep it under control but if you don’t, the reversion can take over the plant and leave a gaping hole that can’t grow back a