Douglas Fir

Species Name

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Seed Source

San Juan National Forest and Lincoln National Forest

Character

Field trials have proven identical characteristics for both seed sources. Blue-green colour with consistently rapid growth rate and typical density. Very hardy and very fast growth rate.

Soil

Moist, well-drained loam or sandy loam. Prefers good air movement.

Growth

Good growth rate in general. Considerable variation among seed sources with respect to cold hardiness.

Needle

Excellent

Shade

Fair

Aspect

Any, but does best on cool north- or east-facing slopes.

Description

Mature trees: A large to very large tree with narrow, pointed crown, growing to a height of 24 - 61 m and a diameter of 0.6-1.5 m; often much larger. Needles spreading mostly in double rows, 2 - 3 cm long, flattened, mostly rounded at tip, flexible; dark yellow-green or blue-green; very short, twisted leafstalks. Bark: reddish-brown, very thick, deeply furrowed into broad ridges; often corky.

Thrives naturally from central British Columbia south along Pacific Coast to central California; also in Rocky Mountains to Arizona; forms vast forests on moist, well-drained or rocky soils; often in pure stands or mixed coniferous forests. The Douglas Fir is one of the world's most important timber species. It ranks first in the United States in total volume of timber, in lumber production, and in production of veneer for plywood.

The species is quite resistant to aphids and needlecast when weed competition is controlled.