5 Fir Trees That Grow Well in Oregon Yards

Are you looking for fir trees in Oregon for your yard? That’s great! Fir trees are a very popular type of conifer tree, with a typical tall and narrow shape. The branches on these trees grow very densely and cover the trunk from view. This classic silhouette is one of the reasons fir trees are a popular choice to use as Christmas trees. 

Fir trees also have individual needles that attach directly to the branches. These needles are sharply pointed but tend to be soft, especially when compared to needles on spruce trees. Fir tree bark is usually smooth.

Cones grow on fir trees too, but they grow closer to the top of the tree. They also disintegrate before falling to the ground so a whole cone from a fir tree rarely falls intact. 

Now that you know a bit more about fir trees, here are five fir trees in Oregon that will grow well in your yard.

1. Douglas Fir

As the state tree of Oregon, Douglas firs are a great choice to plant in your Oregon yard. They are popular among Oregon homeowners and found widely throughout the state, especially in western Oregon. 

The needles on Douglas fir trees are a blue-green color, soft, flat, and about one inch in length. They have three-point bracts, which makes Douglas fir trees more recognizable than other fir trees. The cones on these trees are blunt-shaped and three to four inches long.  On mature trees, the bark is deeply furrowed.

Douglas fir trees should be planted in an area that receives full sun. At maturity, they can reach heights of 100 to 325 feet and diameters of 15 feet, so make sure you plant it somewhere where it has lots of room to grow.

If your yard doesn’t have that much room, there are smaller varieties to choose from. Additionally, if your yard is on the coast, there is a variety called the coast Douglas fir that would be perfect for your climate.

2. Grand Fir

As we mentioned above, fir trees are typically narrow, but the grand fir is known for its broader shape. This is because the branching on these trees is upright and horizontal. They take up more space than Douglas fir trees, reaching heights of 150 to 200 feet and widths of up to 40 feet. The needles on these trees are blunt and fat.

Grand fir trees grow well in different soils but will thrive in rich soil. They are more versatile than the Douglas fir in terms of placement and can be planted in areas that get full sun, full shade, or part sun. Out of all the fir trees, they do prefer drier climates than the others.

3. Balsam Fir

You may be familiar with balsam fir trees, as they are an extremely popular choice for people who choose to have a real Christmas tree in their homes. They are the most fragrant out of all of the fir trees. The needles on balsam fir trees are dark green in color, short, and flat. They are durable but can dry out quickly, so they should be planted in an area that has good water flow.

Balsam fir trees can reach heights of 45 to 75 feet and widths of 20 to 25 feet. They should be planted in areas that receive full sun or partial shade. They can tolerate some salt in the soil but prefer soil that’s moist, cool, well-drained, and acidic.

4. Fraser Fir

If you’re looking for a fir that will add a bit of glimmer to your yard, the Fraser fir may be the one for you. Though the needles on these trees are dark green, they have silver undertones. The branches curve slightly upward and are stiffer than other fir tree species. Fraser fir trees are also fragrant, giving off the next strongest smell after the balsam fir. They also retain their needles nicely, which means that there will be less of a mess in your yard.

If you are looking to plant a tree that will grow with you and your family, this also may be the tree for you. Fraser fir trees take about 7 to 10 years to grow just 6 to 7 feet high. At maturity, they reach heights of 45 to 75 feet tall and widths of 20 to 25 feet. 

They should be planted in areas that receive full sun or partial shade and in soil that is moist, cool, well-drained, and acidic. Fraser fir trees can also tolerate some salt in the soil.

5. Noble Fir

Noble fir trees are the largest native fir found in North America. They have a columnar trunk and a conical crown. The branches are short and look horizontal. The needles are blue-green in color but have white lines on them. They grow in two rows, are an inch to an inch and a half in length, and are curved at the tip.

Noble fir trees grow in the shape of a pyramid. They can reach heights of 50 to 100 feet and spread to around 30 feet wide. To thrive fully, they should be planted in areas of full sun or partial shade. Noble fir trees prefer soil that is deep, moist, cool, well-drained, and acidic. However, they can tolerate soil that is thin and rocky as long as it has good moisture. 

If you are looking for fir trees in Oregon that will grow well in your yard, you have a lot of great choices to choose from. The above five fir trees are all good options for you to look into. If you are unsure of which one you should pick, take a look at your yard, both in terms of the size and the location where you’d want to plant the tree. Find which tree above will thrive best in those conditions.

Give Mr. Tree a call today and let us help you choose the right tree for your property, or assist with existing trees. We are highly trained, well-experienced, and happy to help.