How far apart do you plant Douglas fir seedlings?
For a grouping of two or more trees, or to plant a hedge row, allow a minimum spacing of 15 to 20 feet between the young Douglas firs. Place each tree in a hole 2 feet deep and 3 feet across, loosening and spreading the roots before backfilling with dirt.
How do you plant Douglas fir seedlings?
Plant seeds about 2 inches deep, then cover with soil. Keep in partial shade for the first year; older seedlings will require full sunlight. Care for your seedlings by keeping them inside for the first 4-6 weeks then hardening them off before you plant outdoors.
How fast do Douglas fir seedlings grow?
Experts at Cal Poly estimate the growth rate of Douglas fir at 24 inches a year, but this also depends on its growing conditions.
How long does Douglas fir take to grow for lumber?
Young, open-grown trees typically have branches down to near ground level. It often takes 70-80 years for the trunk to be clear to a height of 5 m (17 feet) and 100 years to be clear to a height of 10 m (33 feet). Douglas fir is shallow rooting, and there is potential for windthrow in thin or disturbed soils.
When can I plant seedlings outside?
Plant at the Right Time The best time to plant is while the seedling is dormant. In warmer zones, you can plant almost all year, except summer—heat will stress and dry out the seedlings. In cooler zones, seedlings should be planted in late winter or early spring, once the ground has thawed.
What is the rule in planting tree seedlings?
The seedling should be planted with the root collar just below the soil surface. The roots need to be straight within the hole, not twisted or bent (J-rooted). The soil should be firmly packed around the seedling to avoid air pockets, which can cause the roots to dry out and thus kill the seedling.
How long do Douglas firs live?
Red tree voles even obtain water from the tree by licking moisture off the needles. The largest coast Douglas firs commonly live to be at least 500 years and sometimes exceed 1,000 years. Rocky Mountain Douglas firs have a shorter lifespan, usually living no more than 400 years. The population of these trees is stable.
How tall is a 30 year old Douglas fir?
Grow Douglas fir trees and earn a 300 percent return in 30 years. Tree farmers can earn 300 percent return growing Douglas fir trees based on a $0.38 cent price for each seedling, a growth cycle of 30 years and a knot-free sawlog that is 12 inches wide and 30 feet tall.
How long does it take for a fir tree to grow full size?
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, “It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height (6-7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7 years.” Read on for a roundup of Christmas trees that grow in the South, listed by typical growing speeds from fast to slow.
How long does it take to grow a Douglas fir to 7 feet?
7 to 10 years
Other Christmas trees grown outside the South but often shipped nationwide include Douglas fir, which grows to full size in 7 to 10 years; Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens); balsam fir (Abies balsamea); white spruce (Picea glauca); and white pine (Pinus strobus).
How long can seedlings stay in trays?
Seedlings otherwise can become root-bound if not given adequate space for the roots. Typically, after sowing the seeds, the cell trays are used for around 3-4 weeks before transplanting occurs – whether it be to an outdoor plot or into a larger container.
What kind of soil does Douglas fir grow in?
These soils are Alfisols (Gray Wooded soils), Mollisols (Brown Forest soils), Spodosols (Brown Podzolic soils, Podzols), and Entisols (2,46). Altitudinal distribution of both varieties of Douglas-fir (menziesii and glauca) increases from north to south, reflecting the effect of climate on distribution of the species.
Where are the Douglas fir trees in California?
Nearly pure stands of Douglas-fir continue south from their northern limit on Vancouver Island through western Washington, Oregon, and the Klamath and Coast Ranges of northern California as far as the Santa Cruz Mountains. In the Sierra Nevada, Douglas-fir is a common part of the mixed conifer forest as far south as the Yosemite region.
What kind of tree is Rocky Mountain Douglas fir?
Two varieties of the species are recognized: P. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii, called coast Douglas-fir, and P. menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco, called Rocky Mountain or blue Douglas-fir.
Can a Douglas fir tree survive a fire?
True giants of the forest, Douglas Fir can survive fires due to their thick, nearly impregnable bark. This species can be finicky when young and prefers moist soil in partial shade.