snaking dougy

[wireme]

This one may be my favorite of the Doug firs I collected this year, cool snakey trunk and of course being a Doug fir, great bark.
It looks to be doing very well, good color and nice plump buds set for next year. Past experience with Doug fir leads me to believe that good bud formation is a strong indicator that the tree transplanted well.

 

[M. Frary]

That is very cool. Glad to hear it survived the collection. Very nice tree!

 

[monza]

Fantastic aged bark, pretty cool to see the Douglas Firs being collected. Naturally growing one of my favourite old growth trees. Lots of gnarly crazy twisted formations filled with dead wood.

 

[wireme]

Quick update. Those nice fat buds that formed the end of 2014 turned out to be pollen cones, the tree pretty much has not grown anything new since collection. Old bud ends are dead and dried up, like this.
During the season this year I've been watching new little red buds forming up and down the branches, hundreds of them all over the tree.
So, we're probably alright, the tree will appreciate some fresh needles to work with next season I'm sure!
Hurry up and wait, nothing will be done but watch it grow for at least two more seasons now, maybe more.

 

[ghues]

No new growth for two growing seasons (15/16)...transplant shock indeed. Hopefully it will do something for you in 2017.
An old tree for sure.
G.

 

[Giga]

Very nice tree - well worth the wait

 

[Waltron]

thats a nice one! seems these break back well on old wood, my balsams are doing the same, they are not nearly as nice as these though.

 

[wireme]

No new growth for two growing seasons (15/16)...transplant shock indeed. Hopefully it will do something for you in 2017.
An old tree for sure.
G.

It's not unusual at all for me and Doug fir. Not a lot of fun to have them sit and do nothing for a few years but I'm getting used to it. I like to think I'd get quicker recovery if I had a climate where they could continue regenerating roots through fall and some of winter. Here in zone 3 the soil freezes and stays that way for a good 5 or 6 consecutive months.
I'm pretty confident it will do well in the next years, waiting till May to find out now!

 

[wireme]

thats a nice one! seems these break back well on old wood, my balsams are doing the same, they are not nearly as nice as these though.

They do if they are healthy and strong. I collected my first balsam this spring.

 

[parhamr]

@wireme did it pull through?

 

[wireme]

@wireme did it pull through?

Yes, last summer was the first year with a substantial amount of good vigorous growth. Looking good.

 

[wireme]

@wireme did it pull through?

And I don’t plan to work it this year yet either. Some exterior reduction probably but for the most part let it gain strength now that it is finally getting enough fresh foliage to do so. So, collected 2014, waiting until at least 2020 to do much at all with it... can’t see this one being in a final size container with style fully set in less than 15 years from collection. Worth keeping in mind when collecting that it may be a long wait and will the end material be worth taking up the space and energy.

In this case I think so, no regrets here.