Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Coniferous Evergreen Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer / Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (wild type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 6
About This Tree
A massive evergreen conifer with a straight, tall trunk, a dense pyramidal crown in youth that becomes cylindrical and open-topped with heavy branching at maturity, noted for yielding some of the world's finest timber
Leaf Characteristics
Needle-like leaves that are flat, flexible, about 1 inch long, dark green on top with two pale stomatal bands underneath, arranged spirally and pointing forward
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown, thick, deeply furrowed with corky ridges on mature trees, sometimes showing hints of reddish-brown within the fissures
Growing Information
Origin Region
Western North America, from British Columbia down through California and into the Rocky Mountains
Growing Season
Evergreen year-round, actively growing in spring and summer with new light green needle flushes, and forming cones in spring to mature by autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred, moderate watering needs once established, prefers moist, well-draining soils and has moderate drought tolerance
Mature Size
Expected height of 70 to 200 feet or more, spread of 20 to 40 feet, fast to moderate growth rate, and a lifespan often exceeding several hundred years
Special Characteristics
Exceptional structural timber value, wind-firm root system, fire-resistant thick bark on mature trees, and high resistance to urban pollution
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical nesting habitat for spotted owls and various songbirds, seeds are consumed by squirrels, mice, and finches, and deer browse the foliage