Douglas fir

Watering a Douglas fir tree should be done sparingly, approximately once every 2 weeks or so. Young trees should be provided 1-2 liters of water each time and the mature trees should be provided 2-5 liters each time. A simple tip is to water only when the soil appears to be drying out. An easy way to check the soil is by poking your finger into the soil and if it feels dry a few centimeters below the surface, then it is time to water again. Doug fir trees should never be over-watered and during the hot months, watering should be done in the early morning or in the evening to help prevent the water from evaporating too quickly.

Douglas firs need a great deal of sunlight to grow. The best amount for this species of tree is 14-16 hours of sunlight each day for optimal growth. If a Douglas fir does not receive enough sun, it may struggle and look unhealthy. Due to their preference for sunlight, it is best to plant them in full sun locations so they will get enough sun throughout the day. During the summer months, the Douglas fir will need at least 10 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive and in the winter months, 6 to 8 hours per day is required. With the right amount of sunlight, Douglas firs will grow strong and tall.

Douglas fir should be pruned once a year in late winter or early spring when the tree breaks dormancy. Pruning should be limited to removing dead, damaged and diseased branches and any stocky shoots from the previous season's growth. Douglas fir should not be heavily pruned as they tend to respond best when only minor amounts of pruning are done. It is also important to remember that pruning should be done carefully in order to limit the risk of damaging the Douglas fir tree.