How to Plant Pine & Fir in Wisconsin

Choose a Site

• 1

  Contact the Wisconsin Diggers Hotline online (diggershotline.com) or dial 811 to have the location of utility lines marked in the area you are considering for planting. Each utility line will be marked in a different color to tell you where not to dig.

• 2

  Check for power lines, larger tree branches and any other obstructions that could be problems when your tree grows. Different types of pine and fir trees native to Wisconsin grow to different heights. For example, white pine trees can grow over 100 feet tall, while jack pines and balsam fir grow half that height and no more than two feet in diameter.

• 3

  Examine the soil and terrain. Pine and fir trees grow throughout the State of Wisconsin in all types of soil conditions, including sandy areas and rock ledges, but they prefer areas where the soil provides good drainage.

• 4

  Examine your tree's information tag to see how much light it needs, how far to plant it from other trees and how tall it will grow. Choose a site that is not too close to a house or other building and where the tree has room to grow out and up. Generally, pine trees will grow in a medium amount of light and shade, while fir trees prefer shady, cool areas.

Planting Seedlings

• 5

  Keep your pine or fir seedlings moist and cool in a bucket while they are waiting to be planted. This will keep them dormant and less likely to be damaged before you can plant them. Cover the roots with wet cloths and keep them in a cool (34 degrees to 36 degrees Fahrenheit) environment.

• 6

  Dig a hole deep enough to allow the roots to hang freely, and wide enough that the roots can spread out. Gently place the seedling in the hole so the root collar -- where the trunk tissue meets the root tissue -- is at the soil line. Add more soil to the hole if necessary so the root collar is properly positioned.

• 7

  Pack soil gently around the roots. Press down lightly to remove air pockets. Water the planting thoroughly with a watering can. Add more soil if necessary to keep the new planting supported and upright.

Planting Larger Trees

• 8

  Hold the tree trunk near the soil and lift the tree out of its container carefully, with help if you need it, as larger pine and fir trees can be heavy. If the tree has a root ball that is covered with burlap, untie the burlap and set it aside. Remove excess soil from the bottom of the roots without harming them.

• 9

  Find the root collar (where the trunk tissue meets the root tissue), scraping away soil as necessary to locate it. Measure the depth from the root collar to the bottom of the roots or root ball. Dig a hole slightly deeper and wider than the roots, and put the excess soil in the wheelbarrow. Pine and fir trees that are larger when planting require a large, stable base to keep them sturdy and healthy.

• 10

  Mix the soil you removed with additional top soil or planting mixture. Use the shovel to deposit a small amount of the mixed soil into the bottom of the hole so the roots can grow into loose soil while becoming established.

• 11

  Lower the tree into the hole gently. Rotate the tree so it is positioned as you like it. Replace the soil around the roots or root ball on all sides and over the top of the roots up to the root collar. Press down lightly but firmly to hold the soil in place and remove air pockets.

• 12

  Water the newly planted pine or fir tree slowly with a soaker hose or sprinkler until the soil is thoroughly saturated, approximately 20 minutes. Check the tree weekly for signs of problems, such as brown areas or visible pests, so it will be healthy and established before being challenged by the cold of Wisconsin winters. Pine and fir trees are hardy and will last for years in the state if care is taken to establish them well from the start.