Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer, Timber Tree, Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 6 (Interior variety) and 7 through 8 (Coastal variety).
About This Tree
A massive, long-lived evergreen with a straight trunk and a narrowly pyramidal crown that becomes more cylindrical and flat-topped with age. Features drooping lower branches and distinctive pendulous cones.
Leaf Characteristics
Needle-like foliage, 1 inch long, flat with a pointed but flexible tip. Spirally arranged around the twig. Dark green to blue-green with two white stomatal bands on the underside. Smells like citrus when crushed.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and gray on young trees with resin blisters; maturing into thick, deeply furrowed, corky bark with dark reddish-brown ridges and fissures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Western North America, from British Columbia south to California and east to the Rocky Mountains.
Growing Season
Evergreen with year-round foliage; new growth flushing light green in late spring. Seed cones mature in late summer and shed in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils. Moderate drought tolerance once established but prefers consistent moisture in coastal varieties.
Mature Size
Typically 40–80 feet in landscape settings but can reach 200+ feet in the wild. Spread of 12–25 feet with a moderate to fast growth rate.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for timber (lumber and plywood). Famous for its unique cones that feature three-pointed 'bracts' resembling the hind legs and tail of a mouse. High wind resistance once mature.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical habitat and food for various wildlife; seeds are eaten by crossbills, nuthatches, and Douglas squirrels. Large specimens serve as nesting sites for bald eagles and northern spotted owls.