Evergreen Transplants
Concolor fir
A large pyramidal tree with a rather formal appearance in the landscape somewhat akin to Colorado Blue Spruce. In the average home landscape, the tree will reach 30-50 feet tall and 15-25 feet wide when mature. Concolor fir is tolerant of some shade, although it prefers full sun. Zones 3-7.
Grouse like to eat the buds and needles and find white fir a good roosting tree. The seeds are eaten by squirrels, rodents, chickadees, crossbills and Clark's nutcrackers. Deer browse on seedlings, buds and needles, and porcupines gnaw on the bark.
Douglas Fir
The Douglas Fir has a large pyramidal shape and a straight trunk and can grow to a height of 80+ ft. in the right growing conditions. They are a popular choice for Christmas trees. Douglas Fir features soft gray-green to blue-green needles, which carry a pleasant aroma when cut or crushed. They prefer rich, moist, well-drained soils. Once established, they love the full sun and will become dominant in the ecosystem. Zones 4-6.
Douglas fir seeds provide food for a number of small mammals, including chipmunks, mice, shrews, and red squirrels, Bears eat the sap of these trees. Many songbirds eat the seeds right out of the cone, and raptors, like Northern Spotted Owl, rely on old-growth forests of Douglas firs for cover.
Korean Fir
If you like the appearance of Fir trees but do not have much room in your yard, choose the Korean fir. An attractive feature is the display of purple cones that appear as the tree begins fruiting. As the season progresses they become tan in color. This species is shorter than other fir trees and will reach a mature height of 15 to 30 feet tall with a spread 6 to 15 feet wide. It grows in a pyramidal shape. Zones 5-7.
Korean Fir provide shelter and food for birds and wildlife.
Colorado Blue Spruce
A magnificent sight of silver blue-green spruce. Rated one of the most popular evergreens. Withstands wind better than most spruces due to a wide-spreading and moderately deep root system. Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. It grows well while young and matures at 50-75'; 10-'20' spread in the landscape, up to 135' and 35' spread in the wild. Zones 2-7.
Blue Spruce is commonly used as a windbreak, a noise barrier, and as a property line designator, especially when planted in rows. Not only does it provide food for wildlife, but it also provides a wide variety of animals with shelter. Deer will browse on the tender needles of younger blue spruce trees, but don’t worry, the tree is resilient enough to withstand deer activity, Colorado blue spruce trees to attract crossbills, nuthatches, and siskins. Other wildlife that will be attracted by this tree includes porcupines, squirrels, and chipmunks.