Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Forest Tree, Conifer, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii for Coastal variety)
Hardiness Zones
4 - 6 (Interior variety), 5 - 7 (Coastal variety)
About This Tree
A massive, long-lived conifer with a pyramidal crown in youth that becomes cylindrical or flat-topped with age. It features pendulous lower branches and upright upper branches with dense, soft foliage.
Leaf Characteristics
Needle-like leaves, flat and soft to the touch, roughly 1 inch long. They are spirally arranged around the twig, typically dark green to blue-green with two pale stomatal bands on the underside.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and gray-brown with resin blisters on young trees; becomes very thick, deeply furrowed, and corky with red-brown ridges as it matures at high age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Western North America (from British Columbia south to California and Mexico)
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen foliage; pollination occurs in spring (March-May); cones mature in late summer/autumn; no true dormancy in mild climates.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soils; moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
70-250+ feet tall (depending on variety and location), 12-30 feet spread; fast growth rate; can live 500-1000 years.
Special Characteristics
Distinguishable by its unique cones which feature three-pointed bracts extending beyond the scales (resembling mouse tails); high timber value; used extensively for Christmas trees.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical habitat for Northern Spotted Owls; seeds provide food for Douglas squirrels, chipmunks, and various songbirds like crossbills and siskins; provides winter cover for deer and elk.