Planting a Douglas fir in the garden is not the norm, but it can be done. If you want to plant the impressive tree, you will find the instructions and tips here.
The Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an impressive sight and certainly not suitable for every allotment garden. Compared to the native spruce, the evergreen trees prove to be more stable and more vigorous. Terms such as Douglas pine or Douglas fir are also often in circulation. However, the Douglas fir is neither a fir nor a pine, but forms a separate genus. Find out more interesting facts about the attractive plant and read how planting can lay the foundation for your very own forest generation.Douglas fir - plant description
If the right location is found, Douglas firs prove to be extremely vigorous. In our latitudes, growth heights of 60 meters are not uncommon. The trunk can reach a diameter of up to four meters.
» Tip: The tallest existing Douglas fir can be found on the coast of California and measures approximately 115 meters.
By planting a Douglas fir, the hobby gardener will not only make himself happy, but also future generations. The trees can reach an age of up to 400 years. Douglas firs have blue-green needles that are soft to the touch and stand alone. If you rub the needles, which are about four centimeters long, with your fingers, you will notice a slightly lemony smell. The needles sit directly on the twigs and do not have the thickening characteristic of spruce. The trees are monoecious of the same sex. The first flowers appear at the age of 20 to 40 years. The cones can grow up to ten centimeters long. Similar to the native spruce, the mature cones fall from the trees. The flowering period in Europe falls on the months of April and May. In September the cones will ripen and by October you will be able to find them on the ground.
Douglas Fir - Distribution
Douglasias originally come from North America. There the trees grow on the mountain slopes of the Rocky Mountains, along the Sierra Nevada in California and into Mexico. The tree got its name from DavidDouglas. He introduced Douglas firs to Europe in the 19th century. The Scottish botanist brought the trees to London from an expedition to North America. Since then, the Douglas fir has become an integral part of parks and gardens in Europe and is also important for forestry. Karl Phillipp also made a great contribution to the Douglas fir. The head of the forest administration in Baden saw to extensive plantings in the Freiburg area.
Douglas Fir - Use
The wood of the Douglas fir can be used in many ways. Visually, the Douglas fir wood is reminiscent of larch wood. Douglas fir wood is used as veneer in the manufacture of furniture or in the production of doors, windows or ship masts. Since the core of Douglas fir wood is easier to impregnate than the native spruce wood, it is also preferred for roof truss construction.
Plant Douglas fir - find a suitable location
The choice of location has priority with the Douglas fir. Although the nutrient requirement is rather low, the site conditions are decisive for the growth and thriving of the plant. Planting on a slope is particularly suitable for the Douglas fir. Excess liquid can drain off better. Trees planted on slopes are less affected by fungal infections. Young plants tolerate a sunny location less well. Especially the frost drought can be a problem. In addition, the need for water increases in a sunny location.
Find a suitable location in keywords
- no blazing sun
- not too wet
- Slope
- Unique Position
Plant Douglas fir - select substrate
The nutrient requirements of the Douglas fir are rather low. The plants thrive on chalk, sandstone or crystalline. The soil should be fresh and loose, but not too wet. Waterlogging is not tolerated. It is also an advantage if the soil is deep, loamy and not too stony. Lime-rich substrates are not suitable.
Ideal substrate in keywords
- profound
- fresh
- loamy
- humos
Plant Douglas fir - when?
Douglas firs are preferably planted from late winter. In mild winters, the plant can be planted in the ground as early as mid-March. Lateral buds thicken in early to mid-April, indicating the onset of vigorous root growth.
Damp and cool weather is the best time for planting the Douglas fir. In the first few weeks after planting there is a risk of dehydrationespecially large.
Autumn planting is possible, but more risky. Bare-rooted plants are particularly at risk because they do not take root in time before winter sets in. A sheltered location and an adequate water supply are necessary in any case.
» Tip: Avoid planting from the end of October.
Put bare root Douglas firs and small ball plants
The bare root Douglas fir is a true mimosa. The plants do not tolerate drought. Before planting, protect the roots from drying out. The young plants in the field should be watered regularly. Balled goods are more robust, a small balled plant can also be planted in September. Then the winter moisture protects against dehydration and the plants are less threatened by dehydration in spring.
» Tip: Make sure you buy a firm, moist and well-rooted bale.
Recognize age of Douglas fir when buying
The label contains information such as "Douglas fir 2/1". This tells the hobby gardener that it is a two-year seedling plant that has been schooled for a year. In technical terms, schooling means that the Douglas fir was moved to another bed in order to stimulate the branching of the roots. In this case, you are buying a three-year-old plant.
Planting Douglas firs - step by step
- Find location
- Prepare the ground
- Dig planting hole
- tuck in plant
- Insert plant
- Fill substrate
- Tread the ground firmly
- Water the plant
» Tip: The fine hair roots of the Douglas fir must not dry out.
If you cannot plant immediately, you should protect your Douglas fir with a felling. To do this, choose a shady impact site, at the edge of a body of water or on a damp meadow. If necessary, a puddle will do. First they dig a small ditch. Then place the plant at an angle and cover the area around the roots with the moist soil. The root area should be completely surrounded by the soil pulp.
Planting Douglas firs with Göttingen bicycle handlebars
In connection with the planting of Douglas firs, the term Göttinger Fahrradlenker often appears in professional circles. IncludedThis is a special planting device that has proven itself for deciduous and coniferous trees. Specially trained plants are placed in the ground with this small planting shovel, which was developed in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences in Göttingen. This method protects the roots, which ensures good growth.
The Göttingen bicycle handlebar appears as a narrow planting spade with a bicycle handlebar mounted at the upper end. The extension can be adjusted in height. There is a stepping aid on the narrow edge of the spade for better handling.
How to use the Göttingen bicycle handlebars in practice
- Find location
- Stitch handlebars
- Stretch arms, arch your back
- put one leg forward
- Pull the handlebars backwards
- Insert plant
- Close plant gap
Root deformations often occur when Douglas firs are planted. This should be avoided with the Göttingen bicycle handlebar. A deep planting gap is created that can fully accommodate the main roots. When closing the plant gap, make sure that no hollow space is created. This would lead to the death of the roots. To do this, the bicycle handlebars are used to dig into the earth again in front of the planting gap. Specialists refer to this as the "closing stitch". By pulling the handlebars, the soil in the lower area is pressed against the plant. After this lever movement, the planting gap is pushed upwards.