The Skylands Spruce, scientifically known as Picea orientalis 'Skylands', is a cultivar of the Oriental spruce. Here are some key points about this plant:

1. Appearance: Skylands Spruce is a large evergreen tree with a pyramidal form and horizontal branches that droop slightly at the tips. It has dense, dark green needles that are shorter and more slender than those of other spruce species. The foliage has a distinctive golden-yellow color that intensifies in full sun, giving the tree its name.

2. Size: This cultivar typically reaches a mature height of 20 to 25 feet (7.6 to 12 meters) and a spread of 8 to 10 feet (3 to 4.6 meters). It tends to grow more slowly than other spruce varieties, especially when young, but can eventually become quite large with age.

3. Growth Rate: Skylands Spruce is a slow-growing tree, adding only a few inches of growth per year. Its compact size and slow growth rate make it suitable for use as a specimen tree in larger landscapes, as a focal point in mixed borders, or as a screen or windbreak.

4. Sun and Soil Requirements: This tree prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in well-drained soil with good moisture retention. It can tolerate a range of soil types, including loamy, sandy, or clay soils, as long as they are not overly wet or waterlogged.

5. Hardiness: Skylands Spruce is cold-hardy and can tolerate freezing temperatures typical of its native range in eastern Asia. It is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4 to 7.

6. Landscape Use: Due to its distinctive golden-yellow foliage and pyramidal form, Skylands Spruce is often used as a specimen tree in larger landscapes, parks, or estates. It can also be used to provide evergreen interest in mixed borders, as a screen or windbreak, or as a backdrop for other plants.

Overall, Skylands Spruce is a striking and unique evergreen tree with golden-yellow foliage that adds color and visual interest to the landscape. Its slow growth rate and compact size make it an excellent choice for gardens where space is limited, or where a focal point or specimen tree is desired.