Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Coniferous, Evergreen, Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer, Timber Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Coast Douglas-fir) or var. glauca (Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 7 (var. menziesii) or 4 through 7 (var. glauca).
About This Tree
Large evergreen conifer growing up to 250 feet tall in native old-growth stands, featuring a straight trunk with dense, conical canopy in youth that opens up with age. Distinctive thick, deeply furrowed, reddish-brown to dark gray bark on mature trees and yellowish-red heartwood.
Leaf Characteristics
Spirally arranged, flat, needle-like leaves approximately 0.8 to 1.5 inches long, green to blue-green in color with two pale stomatal bands on the lower surface. Flexible and fragrant when crushed.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and gray with resin blisters on young stems, becoming extremely thick, deeply furrowed, and corky with age. Shows rich reddish-brown or yellowish-brown interior bark within the fissures as seen on harvested timber.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to western North America, ranging from coastal British Columbia to central California and inland to the Rocky Mountains.
Growing Season
Evergreen year-round growth; new shoot flushes occur in mid to late spring. Cones develop through summer and mature in early autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires Full Sun to Partial Shade. Prefers moist, well-drained acidic soils; moderately drought tolerant once established, but sensitive to prolonged saturated soils.
Mature Size
70-250 feet tall with a 20-40 foot spread in natural habitats (30-60 feet in cultivated landscapes); moderate to fast growth rate; can live 500+ years.
Special Characteristics
Highly prized structural timber tree valued for strength and dimensional stability; thick fire-resistant bark on old trees; excellent windbreak and screen tree.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical habitat and nesting sites for birds like the spotted owl and Douglas squirrel; seeds are a primary food source for pine siskins, crossbills, mice, and squirrels.