Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Forest Tree, Conifer, Shade Tree, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species-typical Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Coast Douglas-fir)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-6 (Interior variety) and 7-9 (Coast variety); adaptable to cool, moist climates.
About This Tree
A very large, majestic evergreen with a straight trunk and a cylindrical-to-pyramidal crown that becomes more flattened or irregular with age. It features drooping branchlets and dense foliage.
Leaf Characteristics
Flat, needle-like leaves about 1 inch long with blunt tips; spiral arrangement; fragrant when crushed; dark green to blue-green color with two white stomatal bands on the underside.
Bark Characteristics
Young bark is smooth and gray with resin blisters; mature bark becomes very thick, corky, and deeply furrowed into dark reddish-brown ridges.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to western North America, from British Columbia to central California and the Rockies.
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen foliage; active growth begins in spring with light green new shoots; pollination occurs in spring; seeds mature in late summer and fall.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade when young; requires moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil; moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Typically 40-70 feet in urban settings, but over 200 feet in the wild; spread of 12-25 feet; moderate to fast growth rate; can live 500-1000 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for timber and as Christmas trees; features distinctive cones with three-pointed 'mouse-tail' bracts; excellent windbreak and screen.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical nesting habitat for birds like the Spotted Owl; seeds are a vital food source for Douglas squirrels, chipmunks, and various songbirds like crossbills; foliage is grazed by deer and elk.