What are facts about Douglas fir?
Habitat
- Native Range. The latitudinal range of Douglas-fir is the greatest of any commercial conifer of western North America.
- Climate. Douglas-fir grows under a wide variety of climatic conditions (table 1). ...
- Soils and Topography. The variety menziesii of Douglas-fir reaches its best growth on well-aerated, deep soils with a pH range from 5 to 6.
Is Douglas fir the same as red fir?
Secondly, is red fir the same as Douglas fir? The genus name, Pseudotsuga, means "false hemlock." Botanists often write the common name as "Douglas-fir" to indicate that it is not a true fir. Other common names: Oregon Pine, Red Fir, and RedSpruce. As the scientific name indicates, Douglas Firis not classified as a fir(Abies).
Is a Douglas fir A Christmas tree?
The Douglas fir is one of the most common Christmas tree types sold in the US. This evergreen is a staple in most Christmas tree lots, loved for its full pyramid-like shape and long-lasting needles. For the subtly sweet aroma alone, this evergreen is worth considering. How long does a Douglas fir Christmas tree last? Douglas Fir.
How long does a Douglas fir take to grow?
How long does it take to grow a Douglas fir? 7-10 years How fast does a douglas fir grow? A cultivated tree never achieves the same height or grandeur. In your yard, a Douglas fir will only grow 40 to 60 feet tall. Experts at Cal Poly estimate the growth rate of Douglas fir at 24 inches a year, but this also depends on its growing conditions.
What is a true fir?
True firs are in the genus Abies, and there are between 40 and 55 species of these evergreen conifers worldwide. They are members of the pine family (Pinaceae) and can be distinguished from other pines by their needlelike leaves.
What is special about Douglas Fir trees?
The species is one of the best timber trees in North America, as well as a popular ornamental and Christmas tree, and it is used for reforestation along the Pacific coast. Its seeds are produced first at the age of about 25 years and in large crops every 5 to 7 years.
Why is it called Douglas Fir?
Douglas-fir is not a true fir at all, nor a pine or spruce. It is a distinct species named after its discoverer Archibald Menzies and a botanist, David Douglas. A major characteristic that distinguishes it from true firs is its cone which falls from the tree intact.
What are the disadvantages of Douglas Fir?
Cons. Like all softwoods, one issue that can be a negative is that the Douglas Fir wood is, as the softwood name implies, softer than hardwoods. This can mean that the wood can be more easily damaged, so care must be taken in milling, handling, and transporting the lumber.
Is Douglas fir a real fir?
The Douglas Fir is not considered a true fir because the cones hang down off the branch and fall off whole. The Douglas Fir's one-inch long needles are also Flat, Friendly and Flexible.
Can Douglas fir be used for a Christmas tree?
The Douglas fir is another quintessential Christmas tree with soft, shiny green needles. It's one of the densest of the bunch, and if it has been trimmed to form a perfect cone shape, it can be almost too tight to decorate properly.
What is another name for Douglas fir?
Pseudotsuga is a genus of evergreen coniferous trees in the pine family (Pinaceae). Common names include Douglas fir, Douglas-fir, Douglas tree, and Oregon pine. Pseudotsuga menziesii is widespread in western North America and is an important source of timber.
How do you tell a Douglas fir from pine lumber?
Fir has tight, close grain lines. Pine has broad grain lines that wander, making it far weaker than fir. The soft wood between the grain lines shrinks and expands, making the wood cup or twist. Fir has little soft grain.
How can you tell a Douglas fir?
Douglas-fir needles are single (1) on the twig, tips are blunt or slightly rounded, flat and two- sided, same color on both sides, soft to the touch, needles are ¾ to 1 ¼ inches long, and very fragrant. Unlike subalpine fir needles, Douglas-fir needles narrow before joining the twig.
What is better cedar or Douglas fir?
The two most commonly used materials for such an application are Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. Both are typically viable options, but they both have qualities that favor one versus the other. Douglas Fir has the edge when it comes to structural stability.
Can you climb a Douglas fir?
Just about anyone over the age of five can ascend with Expedition Old Growth.
Which is stronger Douglas fir or redwood?
Characteristics of Douglas Fir Lumber Its Janka Hardness rating of 660 makes it harder than most other domestic softwoods, including redwood, reports Sustainable Lumber Co.
Is Douglas fir better than cedar?
The two most commonly used materials for such an application are Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. Both are typically viable options, but they both have qualities that favor one versus the other. Douglas Fir has the edge when it comes to structural stability.
Is Douglas fir a hardwood or softwood?
SoftwoodsPine, Douglas Fir, and Cedar are considered Softwoods. Hardwood is a generic term for the scientific name angiosperm. These plants are often deciduous trees that have broad leaves, and carry their seeds in some variation of a nut or fruit.
Why did Douglas firs do well and become popular in Europe?
In recent years, Douglas-fir has become increasingly interesting because of its growth rates and its resilience versus drought stress. Douglas-fir is considered an additional potential species for adapting European forests to expected changes in climate (IPCC 2007; Eilmann et al. 2013).
How can you tell a Douglas fir?
Douglas-fir needles are single (1) on the twig, tips are blunt or slightly rounded, flat and two- sided, same color on both sides, soft to the touch, needles are ¾ to 1 ¼ inches long, and very fragrant. Unlike subalpine fir needles, Douglas-fir needles narrow before joining the twig.
Why is Douglas Fir called Douglas Fir?
The common name honors David Douglas, a Scottish botanist and collector who first reported the extraordinary nature and potential of the species. The common name is misleading since it is not a true fir, i.e., not a member of the genus Abies. For this reason the name is often written as Douglas-fir (a name also used for the genus Pseudotsuga as a whole).
What is Douglas Fir?
Douglas-fir seeds are an extremely important food source for small mammals such as moles, shrews, and chipmunks, which consume an estimated 65% of each annual seed crop. The Douglas squirrel harvests and hoards great quantities of Douglas-fir cones, and also consumes mature pollen cones, the inner bark, terminal shoots, and developing young needles.
What is the name of the Douglas Fir tree?
For this reason the name is often written as Douglas-fir (a name also used for the genus Pseudotsuga as a whole). The specific epithet menziesii is after Archibald Menzies, a Scottish physician and rival naturalist to David Douglas. Menzies first documented the tree on Vancouver Island in 1791.
How long are the leaves of a fir tree?
The leaves are flat, soft, linear needles 2–4 centimetres ( 3⁄4 – 1. +. 1⁄2 in) long, generally resembling those of the firs, occurring singly rather than in fascicles; they completely encircle the branches, which can be useful in recognizing the species.
Where is Douglas Fir native to?
The Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae. It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine.
What is Douglas Fir's food source?
Douglas-fir seeds are an extremely important food source for small mammals such as moles, shrews, and chipmunks, which consume an estimated 65% of each annual seed crop. The Douglas squirrel harvests and hoards great quantities of Douglas-fir cones, and also consumes mature pollen cones, the inner bark, terminal shoots, and developing young needles.
How thick is Douglas Fir?
The bark on young trees is thin, smooth, grey, and contains numerous resin blisters. On mature trees it is very thick and corky, growing up to 14 inches (36 cm) thick with distinctive, deep vertical fissures caused by growth.
What is Douglas Fir?
Douglas fir is one of the most important timber trees in the United States. It is harvested for a wide variety of uses and is the backbone of the western timber industry. The wood has great strength and yet it is not very heavy.
What birds eat Douglas Fir?
The seed of Douglas-fir is an important food for chickadees, red crossbill, finches (house and purple), evening grosbeak, Douglas squirrel, Townsend chipmunk, deer, meadow mice, shrews, and many other birds and mammals. Of course, you won't find all of these in Nebraska.
Is Douglas Fir a true fir?
Douglas fir is not a “true” fir like concolor fir. It is, in fact, a unique species and the only one of its kind within its genus. The genus name ‘Pseudotsuga’ means “false hemlock”, alluding to the similarity of its needles to those of the hemlocks.
Why is Douglas Fir so popular?
Douglas fir is a popular Christmas tree, mostly because it is typically less expensive than other species. Names: David Douglas, the Scottish botanist, is honored in the common name for Douglas fir. Another Scott, Archibald Menzies, takes the honors for the scientific name, menziesii .
How do you know if a Douglas Fir tree is nearby?
Also unlike the true firs, the Douglas fir drops its cones to the ground intact. When you see these unique cones on the ground, you know that a Douglas fir is nearby. The tiny pollen cones come out in the spring. After dispersing the pollen, they fall, often covering the ground under the trees.
What are the different types of Douglas Fir?
Two varieties of Douglas fir grow in the Northwest:* 1 Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii grows in western Oregon and Washington from sea level up to 5000 feet (1500 meters). 2 Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca grows between 2000 and 8000 feet in the northeast corners of Oregon and Washington, and the mountains of Idaho. The needles of this variety tend to be blue or gray compared to var. menziesii . The bark is darker, and the bracts tend to protrude outward from the cones. This variety also grows throughout the Rocky Mountains.
How to identify Douglas Fir needles?
Needles: Douglas fir is easy to identify. The thin needles stick out in all directions from the twig like a bottle brush. Although the appearance is similar to that of spruce, the needle tips are soft, unlike the sharp spruce needles.
What are the buds on Douglas Fir?
Look at the buds. Douglas fir has unique buds that are pointed, reddish-brown and papery. Cones: The cones are the only ones you will find in the Northwest with three-pointed bracts sticking out of the scales. Unlike the true firs, the cones hang down rather than standing up on the branch.
Where do Douglas Fir trees grow?
Two varieties of Douglas fir grow in the Northwest: *. Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii grows in western Oregon and Washington from sea level up to 5000 feet (1500 meters).
Where is Douglas Fir most common?
Only redwoods in California grow to a greater height. Douglas fir is also the most common and widely distributed species in the Pacific Northwest. Any conifer you see west of the Cascade summit in Oregon or Washington is more likely to be a Douglas fir than any other species. Needles: Douglas fir is easy to identify.
Overview
The Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae. It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine. There are three varieties: coast Douglas-fir (P. menziesii var. menziesii), Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (P. menziesii var. glauca) and Mexican Douglas-fir (P. menziesii var. lindleyan…
Description
Douglas-firs are medium-size to extremely large evergreen trees, 20–100 metres (70–330 feet) tall (although only Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii, common name coast Douglas-firs, reach heights near 100 m) and commonly reach 2.4 m (8 ft) in diameter. although trees with diameters of almost 5 metres (16 feet) exist The largest coast Douglas-firs regularly live over 500 years, wit…
Taxonomy
The common name honors David Douglas, a Scottish botanist and collector who first reported the extraordinary nature and potential of the species. The common name is misleading since it is not a true fir, i.e., not a member of the genus Abies. For this reason, the name is often written as Douglas-fir (a name also used for the genus Pseudotsuga as a whole).
The specific epithet menziesii is after Archibald Menzies, a Scottish physician and rival naturalist to …
Distribution
Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii, the coast Douglas-fir, grows in the coastal regions from west-central British Columbia southward to central California. In Oregon and Washington, its range is continuous from the eastern edge of the Cascades west to the Pacific Coast Ranges and Pacific Ocean. In California, it is found in the Klamath and California Coast Ranges as far south as the Santa Lucia Range, with a small stand as far south as the Purisima Hills in Santa Barbara County. One o…
Ecology
Douglas-fir prefers acidic or neutral soils. However, it exhibits considerable morphological plasticity, and on drier sites P. menziesii var. menziesii will generate deeper taproots. Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca exhibits even greater plasticity, occurring in stands of interior temperate rainforest in British Columbia, as well as at the edge of semi-arid sagebrush steppe throughout m…
Uses
Many different Native American groups used the bark, resin, and pine needles to make herbal treatments for various diseases. British Columbia's Bella Coola tribe mixed the resin with dogfish oil for many medicinal applications. Some tribes used the foliage as a hygienic freshener in sweat baths, and the leaves were used as a coffee substitute. Native Hawaiians built waʻa kaulua (double-hulled c…
See also
• List of Douglas-fir species
• List of Douglas-fir diseases
• List of superlative trees
Further reading
• Brock, Emily K. (2015). Money Trees: The Douglas-Fi.r and American Forestry, 1900–1944 Corvallis, Oregon: Oregon State University Press.
• Chase, J. Smeaton (1911). "Pseudotsuga taxifolia, Also called P. douglasii or P. mucronata, (Douglas-spruce, Douglas-pine, Hemlock, Red-fir)". Cone-bearing Trees of the California Mountains. Eytel, Carl (illustrations). Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Co. p. 36. LCCN 11004975. OCLC 3477527.