How to Plant Fraser Fir Trees
Fraser fir trees grow in a pyramid shape and can easily reach heights of 80 feet with a diameter of over 18 inches. Needles measure half an inch in length with deep, dark green coloring on top and a silver banding under each needle. Both females and males flower with cone production occurring in September or October. Once cones ripen, the seeds fall leaving a decorative cone on the tree. Fraser fir is prized as an ornamental evergreen in any landscape in Zones 4 to 7 due to its ease of care. Trees should be planted ideally in the fall. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Plant tree in full sun or partial sun. Provide ample room for the tree to attain its full width and height.
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Mix soil with peat moss at a 50-50 ratio. Crumble soil with gloved hands to remove all clumps.
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Dig hole twice as large as the container holding the Fraser fir or the plants root ball if the plant is not in a container. Dig hole depth up to container's rim or to cover the root ball with two inches of soil.
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Fill the hole half full with soil and water thoroughly. Fill the remaining hole to cover the trees root system and water thoroughly so soil settles.
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Apply four inches of peat moss around the base of the tree for mulch. Leave a two inch diameter space between the trunk of the tree and the peat moss.
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Keep soil moist around the tree until the first hard freeze. Fertilize the tree with an all purpose fertilizer for evergreens in the spring by following the directions on the fertilizer label.
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Tips & Warnings
When the tree reaches three years old only water during times of drought.
Feed the tree an all purpose evergreen fertilizer every year for the trees lifespan.
Prune any dead or damaged branches using loppers or handheld bypass pruners.
Never let the tree have standing water near the base. Soil should always remain well drained so the tree does not rot, which could prove fatal.
