We normally order our trees in January and pick them up at the Colorado State Forest Service office in early May. This is a photograph of douglas fir trees that we were getting ready to plant. The CSFS order form describes these douglas firs as 'regular potted trees, 6" to 12" tall, 2" square pots'' and sells them in lots of 30 trees.
I thought these trees were too old and quite spindly. I would have preferred smaller trees with less restricted branches. However, we usually have a good survival rate with the trees we get from the CSFS and the price is right.
Early May is too early to plant here so we wait until early to mid June to begin, meanwhile keeping the trees well watered and sheltered from heavy snow. First we gather what we know from experience we will need to plant the trees. Our list includes:
- The Trees
- Gallon Plastic Milk Jugs filled with Water and Soluble Fertilizer
- Post Hole Digger
- Mattock
- Small Weed Digger
- Thin Bamboo Sticks (also purchased from CSFS)
- Plenty of Coffee
We load all our gear into the back of our pickup truck as you can see from this photograph and head out to begin planting. Fortunately, we can drive the truck close to most areas of our property thus saving us from carrying the water long distances from the house. However, we do have to carry all the gear up some fairly steep and long hillsides. I think of this as getting in shape for hiking season.
