The entries in this record refer specifically to Pseudotsuga menziesii var menziesii. A separate record exists for Pseudotsuga menziesii var glauca (syn Pseudotsuga lindleyana).

Common Name: Douglas Fir

General Information

Pseudotsuga menziesii is an evergreen tree with a narrow to broadly conical crown; it can grow up to 100 metres tall, with some evidence of even taller trees existing before the forests were extensively logged by European settlers. The straight, cylindrical bole can reach 400cm in diameter[, , ].
Douglas Fir is one of the world's most important timber trees and also has a wide variety of traditional uses as a food, medicine and source of materials[]. It has been introduced to many countries in plantation forestry and is also grown as an ornamental - a good number of cultivars are known and used in horticulture[, ].
This species is a major component of the extensive coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest of the USA and Canada. Logging has removed many large individuals but has not significantly reduced the population of mature trees. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - British Colombia, Washington, Oregon, western Nevada, California

Habitat

Coniferous or mixed forests in moist to very dry areas; from sea level to 1,800 metres[, ]. The best specimens are found on well-drained deep loamy soils with plenty of moisture[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	75.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pseudotsuga menziesii is found from British Colombia to California, at elevations from near sea level to 1,000 metres. It attains its greatest size along the coast in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, where it grows in temperate rainforests [].
Prefers a moist but not water-logged alluvial soil[]. Plants grow very well in areas of high rainfall, but mainly on slopes and other well-drained sites[]. Dislikes calcareous soils[]. Trees are a failure on dry hungry soils.[]. Whilst they are moderately wind resistant[], tall specimens are likely to lose their crowns once they are more than 30 metres tall in all but the most sheltered areas[].
A very ornamental tree[], it is the most cultivated timber tree in the world and is extensively grown in plantations in Britain[]. There are several named varieties selected for their ornamental value[].
Trees can be established in light shade but this must be removed in the first few years or growth will suffer[].
Very slow growing for its first few years, growth soon becomes extremely fast with new shoots of up to 1.2 metres a year[]. This annual increase can be maintained for many years[]. Trees in sheltered Scottish valleys have reached 55 metres in 100 years[]. New growth takes place from May to July[]. The trees require abundant rainfall for good growth[, ].
Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
Trees are very long-lived, specimens over 1,000 years old are known[]. Seed production commences when trees are about 10 years old, though good production takes another 15 - 20 years[]. Good crops are produced about every 6 years[].
This tree is a pioneer species because it cannot reproduce under its own canopy[].
The bark on mature trees can be 30cm thick, and this insulates the trunks from the heat of forest fires[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[, ]. Young growth can be damaged by late frosts[].
The leaves have a strong sweet fruity aroma[].

Edible Uses

Young shoot tips - used as a flavouring in cooked foods[, ]. A subtle woodsy flavour[].

A refreshing tea is made from the young leaves and twigs[, , , ]. Rich in vitamin C[]. It is used as a coffee substitute according to some reports[, , , ]. The fresh leaves have a pleasant balsamic odour and are used as a coffee substitute[].

Inner bark - dried, ground into a meal and mixed with cereals for making bread etc[, ]. A famine food used when all else fails[].

A sweet manna-like substance is exuded from the bark[, ]. This report possibly refers to the resin that is obtained from the trunk[], and is used as a chewing gum by various native North American Indian tribes[]. Alternatively, the report could be referring to the sap which is used as a sugar-like food[].

Medicinal

Douglas fir was often employed medicinally by various native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism.

An antiseptic resin is obtained from the trunk. It is used as a poultice to treat cuts, burns, wounds and other skin ailments[, ]. The poultice is also used to treat injured or dislocated bones[]. The resin is used in the treatment of coughs and can be chewed as a treatment for sore throats[].

An infusion of the green bark has been used in the treatment of excessive menstruation, bleeding bowels and stomach problems[].

An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash and a sweat bath for rheumatic and paralyzed joints[].

An infusion of the young sprouts has been used in the treatment of colds[].

An infusion of the twigs or shoots has been used in the treatment of kidney and bladder problems[].

A decoction of the buds has been used in the treatment of venereal disease[].

Young shoots have been placed in the tips of shoes to keep the feet from perspiring and to prevent athletes foot[].
A mouthwash is made by soaking the shoots in cold water[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast growing and fairly wind-resistant tree, it is often used in shelterbelt plantings[].

Other Uses

A light brown dye is obtained from the bark[, ].

The bark is a source of tannins[, ].

The bark can be used as a cork substitute[] and is also used to make fertilizer[].

The small roots have been used to make baskets[].

The plant has insecticidal properties[].

A resin is obtained from the trunk, similar to Abies balsamea[, ] which is used in the manufacture of glues, candles, as a cement for microscopes and slides and also as a fixative in soaps and perfumery[]. The resin can also be used as a caulking material on boats[].

The wood is heavy, strong, fine grained, durable, though it can be of variable quality. It dries quickly, does not warp and is easily worked, it is used for heavy construction, telegraph poles, furniture etc[, , , , , , , ]. The huge size of this variety, as well as its excellent wood properties, make it a choice tree for providing knot-free sawn timber of great length. It is used for plywood and construction, both exterior and interior, and its reasonably good durability makes it useful for telephone wire poles and railway sleepers[].
The wood is a good quality fuel[, , ].
The bark contains pitch, it burns with a lot of heat and almost no smoke, so it is prized as a fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn to winter in a cold frame so that it is stratified[]. The seed can also be stored dry and sown in late winter. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Seedlings tolerate light shade for their first few years of growth. Cones often fall from the tree with their seed still inside[].
If you have plenty of seed then it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed in early spring[]. Grow the plants on for at least two years in the seedbed before planting them out in late autumn or early spring.