Location, planting instructions and more

Get a sturdy seedling

You can grow a Douglas fir from seeds yourself, but this is tedious, laborious and not always successful. It is much easier there to buy a seedling in stores.

• Buy Douglas fir from a nursery or garden center
• online shops also offer seedlings

The price for the seedling depends, among other things, on the size. The bigger and older the plant, the more expensive it is to sell.

The ideal planting time

The ideal time to plant bare-root trees is from October to April. Seedlings that come in a container can be planted all year round. But even here, if possible, spring should be chosen as the plant test.

The optimal location

The Douglas fir needs a sunny to partially shaded standard, which is best protected from the wind. The soil should be slightly moist, well-drained and rich in nutrients.

Planting instructions

1. Dig a sufficiently large planting hole that is twice the diameter of the root ball.
2. Loosen up a loam and clay soil with a little sand and, if necessary, create a drainage layer made of coarse-grained material.
3. Place the young sapling in the planting hole and fill the gaps with the excavated material.
4. Kick the earth firmly.
5. Rake a pouring rim around the seedling.

Care after planting

Immediately after planting, the young tree needs plenty of water. Water it daily for the first 14 days and dose the amount of water depending on the prevailing weather.

Incidentally, young Douglas fir trees also have to be supplied with water in winter and spring. Otherwise frost combined with drought can damage them.

Douglas fir as a hedge

The considerable size that a Douglas fir can reach in the course of its life makes it rather unsuitable for the home garden in the long term.

When it comes to hedge planting, it becomes even more problematic. The rapid growth of Douglas fir requires large-scale pruning measures if the hedge is to keep its shape.