Getting your Douglas fir off to a great start is a total win-win. First, you’re making sure your tree has everything it needs to thrive and grow tall. Second, doing it right the first time saves you a ton of maintenance work down the road. Here’s the lowdown on how to get it done.
What your Douglas fir needs from its new home
Douglas firs are actually part of the pine family. These beauties keep their needles all year round, and as they mature, they take on a gorgeous deep green color with subtle blue tones. If you pick the perfect spot, a full-grown Douglas fir can tower up to 200 feet in the air! Even if conditions aren’t 100% perfect, these trees are hardy and will still reach an impressive size. However, for the healthiest Douglas fir growth, you’ll want to check off a few boxes.
First, pick a sunny spot. Sunlight is the engine for photosynthesis, which keeps the tree’s metabolism humming. Second, pay attention to the soil. Douglas firs send down long roots, so they need plenty of vertical space underground. They love soil that stays moist and is packed with nutrients. If your soil is looking a little thin, don’t be afraid to help it out with some fertilizer.
How to plant your tree the right way
Once you’ve got your sapling, it’s time to scout the location. One pro tip: pay close attention to how far you are from house walls, underground pipes, and your neighbor’s property line. Those powerful roots can cause trouble later if they’re too cramped. Make sure you give the tree plenty of breathing room. This is also super important if you’re planning to plant a Douglas fir hedge or if there are other trees nearby.
Step-by-step planting guide:
- Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball.
- Loosen up the soil at the bottom and, if your ground is heavy, add a layer of drainage material.
- Place your Douglas fir in the hole and backfill it with soil.
- Gently tamp down the earth over the roots with your foot to remove air pockets.
- Give your new sapling a generous soak.
- For the first two weeks, make sure to water it every single day.
The best time to plant
Growing Douglas firs from seeds can be a bit of a headache. Honestly? Your best bet is to buy a healthy sapling. You can find them at local nurseries, garden centers, or even order them online. You’ll see them in all different sizes, but since a well-planted Douglas fir grows so fast, starting with a smaller, more affordable plant is usually just fine.
Try to buy your sapling right before you’re ready to put it in the ground. While you can find them for sale year-round, the absolute best window for planting is between October and April. This is especially true if you’re buying “bare-root” plants—sticking to the cooler months will give them the best chance to take root and thrive.
