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What Conifer Species Is This?

3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

I bought a house last year that had this tree planted above a retaining wall. If it isn't a dwarf cultivar then this location will never work. I am not as adept in conifer id as I am other tree species, so I am hoping some of the experts here could offer some insight. Pretty certain it is a fir tree based on the relative flatness of the needles, but what type?








Comments (8)

  • 3 years ago

    The needles and bark say fir and the pointy buds say Douglas fir.

    I would think it is a cultivar because the branches say it's growing at 3-6" a year.

    Elzeard Bouffier thanked BillMN-z4a
  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Looks like a Rocky Mountain Douglas fir. Those aren't as quick as coast Douglas fir. And the latter don't grow like weeds every time either, there are a lot of them around me here in its native area that are not booming. In addition the mystery tree is not very blue, whereas grafted named clones of Rocky Mountain Douglas fir tend to be noticeably bluish or silvery. Otherwise it might be possible it is a seedling from a named strain selected for forestry use. Something that is also unrelated to the current growth rate of this particular individual, other than it being a Rocky Mountain Douglas fir.

    Elzeard Bouffier thanked Embothrium
  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    @Embothrium I was afraid of that. It's a good looking tree, but it's a horrible spot for one. @BillMN-z4a Unfortunately I have no place to plant a tree at this time that will become so big. I'll probably enjoy it it for a few more years then cut it down before it gets too large.

  • 3 years ago

    In the meantime its helping obscure that big stark white wall next door. And you could slow the growth of the tree additionally with root pruning.

    Elzeard Bouffier thanked Embothrium
  • 3 years ago

    i note the big white wall only has one tiny window.. do you have the same number of windows??.. i mean.. do you spend a lot of time looking at the house next door?? .. in ground bonsai.. as suggested.. will last as long as you can get deep enough to root prune it.. without renting a back hoe ...


    can you give us a pic of the tree from near the white house.. so we can see it in situ.. how far from your house is it.. is that a retaining wall next to it.. or just one 4 x 4 or 6 or something???


    unless its about 20 feet from your house.. it probably has to go ... lets be real .. this isnt going to be some tiny tree over the decades.. the leader appears to have grown at lest a foot ... and that might get larger as the tree settles in ..


    yo fail to mention where you are .. but this tree can be moved now.. in winter.. or in spring.. depending where you are ...


    i planted many a conifer that was cheap and scraggly like this one ... and hot spit.. a decade later.. they are telephone poles.. even the ones labeled dwarf ... now it the time to do something about this easily.. and for very low cost..


    ken


    https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

  • 3 years ago

    @ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5 Yes it is a retaining wall next to it. The previous owners planted it only about 10ft from the house, so it will definitely have to go. I would transplant it but have nowhere to relocate it to at this time

  • 3 years ago

    The retaining wall will never hold a tree like that. I would get rid of it now. if you have nowhere to put it, put it out for recycling.