With new plantings stick your index finger into the ground to the second knuckle. If dry, water. Trickle overnight and then repeat the process again for the first year. If you can’t really tell, pull your finger out. If there is soil stuck
to the tip of your finger then it is still pretty moist down there.

Does this tree do well on the east coast?

I think watering 1-2 times a week is way too much. I heavily water them in when planting them and then only water when the soil dries out or when there is long periods without normal rainfall. The finger test like Dave suggests is the best way to know. Most conifers do not like wet feet and do best in well drained soil.

What kind of soil do you have?

water when a plant needs water ...

insert a finger.. and find out how it all works in your soil ...

some needle loss is not uncommon are transplanting ... and after the first winter.. the future is all in the buds.. and what they do this spring ... and you dont mention how big the transplant was .. nor if it was ball and burlap ...

you need to provide pix if you want anything more than WAGS ... and no one can tell you how it works in your soil .... in your yard... in your area ...

ken

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

"Does this tree do well on the east coast?"

Anyone know?

Thanks.

Not speaking of the cultivar now, but Douglas fir has two main subspecies-a coastal variety-west coast, that is-that will not be sufficiently winter-hardy for the east, and the Rocky Mtn. type, which generally will be. That said, eastern N. America has so much more atmospheric moisture on any given day that some pathogens which never do much out west can do the tree in when planted in the east. Just have to keep an eye on it.

I think it should do quite well for you if planted in a location with well drained soil and plenty of sun. Quoted from Iseli website, The dependable, hardy plant, found by Albert Ziegler about 1969 in York County, Pennsylvania, was named for his wife Grace. The original tree, which was planted at Masonic Homes, was destroyed in 2002, but a replacement has been planted there in Albert's memory by his two sons and grandson.

I've had mine for about 5 years now but It has struggled and has only grown a few inches a year for me. It should be growing 6-12" a year. The root stock it was grafted to was undersized and it seamed to have bad roots from the start. I'm pretty sure mine was grafted onto the coastal variety. Hopefully yours is on the Rocky mtn. type. and does well for you. It's a cool plant and I may have to try another. Best of luck with yours.