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Douglas fir planting

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  • 23-09-2011 11:27pm
    #1
    cat320
    Registered Users Posts: 120 ✭✭


    Hi everyone, I hope there are some horticultural people on here, I want to plant around 200 Douglas fir trees on my land. Mainly 250 metres on the boundary of a field and a separate patch as well. My question is what depth should the holes be for planting? Do they need fertiliser? And what spacing should they be planted at? I will not be cutting them down ever so I want them to grow out horizontally as much as possible and as tall and as healthy as possible. All advice greatly appreciated and thanks in advance.


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    #2
    MOSSAD
    Closed Accounts Posts: 317 ✭✭MOSSAD


    Ok... first I assume the soil you are planting in is fertile and free draining, and that the site is not exposed. My observations over the years re trees is that 4mto 5m is the optimal spacing to allow for a good sized adult. You can plant at a wider spacing if you like. The depth should be from just above where stem and roots meet.
    Its important to keep an area around the trees grass-free either by mulching with chip or by spraying. I think with a complete grass kill growth rates of up to 66% more are achievable. With Douglas you might need to stake the trees. If the ground is fertile, don't bother fertilising.
    You may also have to guard against hares/rabbits and of course keep livestock out, even when the trees are big.
    Best of luck.


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    #3
    mjcom4d
    Closed Accounts Posts: 145 ✭✭mjcom4d


    Ho long does Douglas-fir take to mature


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    #4
    MOSSAD
    Closed Accounts Posts: 317 ✭✭MOSSAD


    mjcom4d wrote: »
    Ho long does Douglas-fir take to mature
    I think 35-40 years-the extra large ESB transmission poles are Douglas.


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    #5
    blue5000
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,624 Mod ✭✭✭✭blue5000


    Hi OP,

    Are there any douglas fir trees near you? The reason I ask is they don't grow well on high pH (limestone) soils. They do well in Wicklow on fertile soils derived from granite. I tried a few on high pH soils and they were a non-runner.

    If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.



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    #6
    Rovi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,570 ✭✭✭Rovi


    mjcom4d wrote: »
    Ho long does Douglas-fir take to mature
    For commercial forestry purposes, the Forest Service talk about 50-60 years:
    http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/publications/DouglasFir_low.pdf

    Left to their own devices, they're claimed to be able to hit 1000 years and beyond, and attain heights of over 100 meters and diameters approaching 6 meters.

    A Douglas Fir in Powerscourt Demesne is allegedly the tallest tree in Ireland, at 55 meters. They reckon it was probably planted in 1865.


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    #7
    cat320
    Registered Users Posts: 120 ✭✭cat320


    Im going to go ahead and plant the douglas fir. Im going to leave ten feet between them. I will use ground phosphate at planting time as well. Whats the best time for planting? From november on? Many thanks for replying, some of the ground wouldnt be great. I cleared all scrub off and theres plenty soil, not topsoil. They would grow there fine i presume?


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