Could this be a dwarf variety of spruce?

Can anyone identify this tree? (pic attached)

I'm pretty sure it's some type of spruce, but is there any chance it's a dwarf variety? e.g. possibly an alberta dwarf spruce?

I'd like to plant it near this shed, but due to proximity of fence, one corner of the neighbour's house, and the shed itself, this is probably a very bad idea if it is a full size one!

I know there are pruning methods to try and keep spruces short, but from what I've read this sounds like a lot of work, and not always effective - so if it is a "regular" full sized one I'll probably just put it in a large pot to contain it's growth and see how it gets on.

However if I can get a dwarf-positive identification, would be great to plant it in the ground.

Thanks!

 

Wouldn't like to guess from the picture what it actually is but judging by the size I would say possibly a slow growing rather than dwarf variety.

 

Difficult to say, as the current pot will be limiting it’s growth. If you don’t want or need it to be big, then a big pot is a good plan.

 

If it was me and I wasn't 100% certain I'd plant, donate, dump that one and buy a new one that was what I wanted.

 

Thanks for replies - sounds like it's probably not a dwarf-variety, so will just go with the pot option. And yes, it's not a type of tree I really wanted for the garden, but was given it and would feel bad about chucking it out! Should work well as an outdoor potted xmas tree for now though, and will choose a dwarf-variety for that spot instead at some point.

 

It does look quite a lot like my Picea albertiana "conica" (dwarf variety, mature height somewhere around the 2m mark, supposed to take 20 or more years to get there, mine is now about 18 inches tall in a pot, bought at about 12 inches tall, about 3 years ago). But (big but) without a label showing you the variety name it could just as easily be a variety that will grow faster and get bigger.