Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Our range of Douglas Fir bare root trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

We have Douglas Fir bare root trees in several sizes and specifications.  They are grown from seed and take 2 or more years to become viable plants.  The 1U1 specification are sown into seed beds and then left in situ for two full growing seasons before they are lifted ready to be sold. 

We also have Douglas Fir transplants which begin as one year old bare root trees (grown from seed in one growing season) which are lifted, have their roots trimmed to encourage bushy growth and are then planted back out for one year (that would then be a 1+1) or more likely two further years (that would be a 1+2) and they are planted out at lower density than in the seed bed to give each plant more space, nutrients and water.

In addition we have cell grown Douglas Fir plants which are grown by one of the UK's best specialist growers and these are ideal for forestry or woodland creation or amenity planting, and these plants are available all year round.

You can read more about the specifications we offer on the tab just below the pricing table - to the right of this product description.

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Summary

Although a non-native, Douglas Fir was introduced to the UK from North America in 1827 by David Douglas, a botanist.  It’s a very long living tree (up to 1000 years) and grows to 50m+.  Evergreen, coniferous, and of great importance in commercial forestry – it is used to make timber beams, decking, furniture, flooring etc and of course, it’s also a popular Christmas tree variety.

Soil and Situation

Douglas Fir likes wetter soils and is found on the western side of the UK in forests and mixed woodlands. It is shade tolerant but also grows well in full sun.

Leaves, flowers and fruit

The leaves of Douglas Fir are soft green needles and are arranged around the stem in a circle.  They are green on the top and white stripey underneath.

The flowers and fruit are both male and female cones, on the same tree.  The female cones are wind pollinated and change colour from yellow, through pink to brown.

Eventual height and growth rate

At 50m+ Douglas Fir is the tallest tree found in the UK and it is fast growing, hence its suitability for commercial forestry.

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)