How to Grow an Alpine Fir Tree

The alpine or subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) thrives in high elevation alpine areas. It's typically found as a native tree in the mountainous Western regions of the United States at elevations between 9,500 and 11,500 feet. Alpine firs make a suitable landscape tree in these areas since they naturally prefer to grow in such regions. These evergreens can provide year-round interest to your landscaping while requiring less maintenance and general care than a nonnative tree variety.

Shovel
Tarp
Mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Dig the planting hole as deep as the nursery pot the fir is in but make it three times wider than the pot. Place the removed soil on a tarp near the hole.
- 2
  Lift the fir out of the nursery pot. Set it in the planting hole. Adjust the depth of the planting until the fir sets in the soil at the same depth it was previously at in the nursery pot.
- 3
  Fill the hole in halfway with the removed soil. Water the soil to settle it. Finish filling the hole then water a second time.
- 4
  Spread a 3-inch layer of mulch over the ground, covering the root zone with the mulching material. Pine straw or wood chips make a suitable mulch. Leave a 3-inch space between the mulch and the fir trunk.
- 5
  Water the alpine fir once weekly the first summer after planting. Provide sufficient irrigation to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Reduce watering in the second year to once every two to four weeks, or often enough so the soil doesn't dry out completely.

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