Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)

Michael's Opinion

An incarnation of the Pacific North-west, Douglas Fir captures the beauty of British Columbia while providing a native and attractive specimen in a garden. A classic tree that is seldom used it is a great substitute for ordinary spruce.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPseudotsuga
Speciesmenziesii
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginNative to North-America. Douglas Fir was once an important timber tree in the United States. Still a mystery to foresters and taxonomists, Pseudotsuga menziesii has been reclassified multiple times and continues to be a marvel of botanical evolution. Introduced by Victorian plant collector David Douglas who was employed by the Horticultural Society of London (later to become the Royal Horticultural Society) in the 1920’s. Douglas was killed under suspicious circumstances on his return from the Pacific North-West via Hawaii in 1834 at the age of 35. In Alberta, Canada the species is found on the east slopes of the Rocky Mountains from Jasper Park to Waterton and through the Porcupine Hills.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		The wood may be used for building construction. Other uses include railway ties, boxes and crates as well as Christmas trees.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone4 - 6
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone2a - 6a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-35 -(-18)
Temperature (°F)-30 - 0
Height12 - 30 m
Spread4 - 6 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodApril

Description and Growing Information

ID CharacteristicRoughly pyramidal in shape, crimson flowers and smooth bark at a young age, light brown and reddish ridged bark in later years. Cones that are up to 10 cm long with bracts that extend beyond scales.
ShapePyramidal growth habit at a young age later developing into an irregular crown.
LandscapeAn attractive native forest tree, Pseudotsuga menziesii adds a natural, soft feeling to a landscape. Suitable for massing but does not perform well as windbreaks or understory plantings and has limited pollution tolerance.
PropagationEasily propagated through seeding, requiring little or no pre-treatment depending on source. Intense stress is put on plant if propagated by cutting. High success of transplanting when tree is 10 years old or less.
CultivationPrefers full sun and neutral or slightly acid, moist, well drained soils.
PestsSusceptible to Douglas Fir bark beetle, scales, aphids, pine butterfly, spruce budworm, multiple species of canker causing fungi as well as needle and leaf and twig blight.
Notable Specimens“The Red Creek Fir Giant” located in Port Renfrew on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada is the world’s largest Pseudotsuga menziesii specimen at a height of 74 m.
HabitatRocky Mountains and Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Mexico.
Bark/Stem DescriptionTrunk is smooth at a young age developing thick reddish brown ridges as the tree matures, the bark can be up to 10 - 15 cm thick and deeply fissured on old trees.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description5-75 mm long, dark brown, ovoid-conical, apex pointed with resinous bases.
Leaf Description2.5-3.5 mm long pectinate shape in v-shaped arrangements. Colour varies from bright, blue, yellow or faded green shades depending on the seed source and variety.
Flower DescriptionMonoecious, crimson coloured three pointed bracts. Male flowers are axillary and pendulous while females are terminal. Blooms January to March.
Fruit Description7.5-10 cm long by 3.5-5 cm wide pendulous cones with oval-ovoid three-pronged bracts protruding from cone scales. The seeds are broadly winged.
Colour DescriptionGreyish brown bark turning red with age. Branchlets are light brown or grey with varying shades of green leaves. Chestnut brown buds and crimson flowers.
Texture DescriptionMedium.

Photographs