Douglas Fir Tree 40/60cm (Cell)

Want to bring some grandeur to your garden? The Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii could be perfect for you. This magnificent evergreen will turn your outdoor space into a wildlife-friendly sanctuary that looks good all year round.

Douglas Firs usually reach heights of 30 to 40 metres in Britain. They’re big enough to create real impact without taking over most larger gardens completely. These trees make bold vertical features that pull your gaze skyward, bringing structure and visual interest to garden layouts.

The Douglas Fir looks different throughout the year, giving constant appeal. Spring brings fresh bright green shoots that soften the tree’s shape. Summer shows the tree at its best – full and leafy, casting lovely shade when it’s hot. Autumn adds new cones to admire, whilst winter shows off those evergreen needles against dull skies or white snow.

Those needles are really quite special. The Douglas Fir’s soft, flat foliage feels lovely to touch and gives off a wonderful lemony smell when you crush it. This scent can drift around your garden with a proper woodland feel, particularly after it’s rained or on mild days.

If you love garden wildlife, you’ll value what the Douglas Fir brings. The thick foliage makes brilliant bird shelter and nesting spots. Squirrels and other small creatures love eating the seeds, whilst loads of insects make homes in the bark and among the branches. Plant a Douglas Fir and you’re not just getting a tree – you’re building a complete mini habitat.

The unusual cones are worth mentioning too. They hang down and have special three-pointed bits sticking out between the scales. These bits look like mouse legs and tails, which is why people call them “mouse-tail cones”. They bring a bit of fun and character to gardens, particularly in autumn when they’re fully developed.

Once they get going, Douglas Firs need very little fuss. They cope with different soil types and handle dry spells well after a few years. This means less gardening work and more time to sit back and enjoy things. They’re also robust enough to work well as windbreaks or privacy barriers.

Douglas Firs are fairly easy to care for in UK gardens. They like spots with full sun or partial shade and do best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. While they’re adaptable, they don’t like soggy ground. These trees are quite hardy in the UK and can handle cold winters, but young trees might need some shelter from strong winds. Water them regularly for the first few years until they’re well-established. After that, they’re quite drought-tolerant. You don’t usually need to prune Douglas Firs unless you’re shaping them for Christmas trees. Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and bark beetles, but overall, these trees are quite tough. Remember that Douglas Firs can grow very large, so plant them where they’ll have plenty of space to reach their full size. They’re not suited for small gardens or areas near buildings or power lines. If you’re planting a young tree, stake it for the first couple of years to help it grow straight and strong.

UK grown. Supplied approx 40/60cm tall as a cell.