Pseudotsuga menziesii

Douglas Fir is the most common tree in Washington and Oregon. It has gone through a series of name changes indicating the challenges with categorizing this tree. It has at various times been categorized as a fir, spruce, pine and hemlock until a new genus Pseudotsuga was create which means “false hemlock”.

Douglas fir is an important timber product in the United States due to its abundance, strength, and rapid growth. Its prevalence throughout the Pacific Northwest make it a key habitat for specific mushrooms as well.

Cones – Female

Thin 3 fingered bracts
Hanging pendant-like
Falls to ground intact

Luis Apiolaza CC BY-SA

Cones – Male

Cones (Male)

Pointed
Reddish-Brown
Paper-like

Leaves (needles)

Flat and soft unlike sharp, squared spruce needles
Grows in all directions like bottle brush
Two lighter lines on the underside of needle
Then connection to stem

The original uploader was UtherSRG at English Wikipedia. CC BY-SA

Bark

Deeply furrowed which is uncommon among conifers in our area
Gray to brown. Brown is more common within the furrows

Did you know?

Douglas fir seeds are a sought-after source of nutrition for many small animals, including chipmunks, shrews, and red squirrels? In addition, the sap of the Douglas fir tree is a delightful treat for bears.

Distribution of Douglas-fir in the western US

Green: Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. menziesii Blue: Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. glauca.

Public Domain: US Geological Survey

Distribution of Douglas Fir in Washington state

Douglas-fir is broadly distributed throughout Washington’s forests with large populations on both the east and west sides of the Cascades. It is especially prevalent in the lower elevation areas in the western Cascades, Snoqualmie Pass, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and the perimeter of the Olympics.