Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer, Timber Tree, Shade Tree, Native Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Coast Douglas-fir)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-6 (Interior variety) and 7-9 (Coast variety)
About This Tree
A massive, long-lived evergreen with a straight trunk and a pyramidal crown that becomes more cylindrical and flat-topped with age. It features drooping branchlets and a dense canopy of soft needles.
Leaf Characteristics
Flat, soft needles approximately 1 inch long, spirally arranged but often appearing two-ranked. Dark green to blue-green above with two white stomatal bands underneath; fragrant when crushed.
Bark Characteristics
Gray and smooth on young trees with resin blisters; becoming very thick, deeply furrowed, and reddish-brown with age, providing fire resistance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to western North America, from British Columbia south to central California
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen growth; new needle flush in late spring; pollen release in spring; seed cones mature by late summer or autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils. Moderate drought tolerance once established but grows best with regular moisture.
Mature Size
Height of 70-200+ feet (cultivated trees often 40-80 ft), spread of 12-25 feet; moderate to fast growth rate; can live over 500 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for timber; primary source of Christmas trees; excellent windbreak; high resin content; notable for trident-shaped bracts on cones.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical habitat for Northern Spotted Owls; seeds are a primary food source for Douglas squirrels, crossbills, and siskins; needles are eaten by blue grouse.