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As Oregon's official state tree, the Douglas fir is so common it is often overlooked by Portlanders shopping for a yard tree. But the Douglas fir is, perhaps, the most important tree to our surrounding area. It's hard to imagine our parks and natural areas without them.
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Distribution
Douglas firs can be found from western British Columbia to central California. In Washington and Oregon, Douglas firs grow from the Cascades to the coast. Douglas firs are comparatively fire resistant and also one of the first trees to appear after a fire.
Needles and Cones
The Douglas fir’s needles are flat and soft. They are about 1 ½ inches in length and go all the way around the stem. The cones are the most distinctive identifier—they are the only cones that have a trifid (three pointed) bract that protrudes out of the scales. Some people imagine a mouse tail and back feet sticking out of the cone.
Indigenous Peoples and Douglas Fir
Most coastal groups make good use of the Douglas fir. The wood is used to make a variety of fishing implements as well as items such as spoons. Its pitch is used for caulking canoes and as a general sealant. Tribes such as the Nuxalk and Quinault use the pitch-heavy heartwood for torches.
Douglas Firs in Portland
You can find Douglas firs across the city. They provide shade in the summer, home to wildlife, and cleaner air year-round. These trees usually only reach enormous heights in a forest setting, but there are some giants in town. The biggest Douglas firs in Portland are about 200 years old.
There are eight Douglas firs listed as Heritage Trees. The most accessible may be the one in Lone Fir cemetery. In fact, the cemetery was named after this particular Douglas fir.
Caring for Douglas Firs
Douglas firs prefer sunny spots but will tolerate some shade. It is important to choose a spot where your Douglas fir will have room to grow.
Douglas firs thrive in moist, well-draining soil. No soil additive or fertilizer is needed when planting. As with all new trees, it is necessary to supplement its water in the summer for the first five years of life. For more information on caring for new trees, see Urban Forestry's establishment care guide.
Problems and Pests: Pests usually cause serious problems only on Douglas firs that are drought stressed. Weevils, beetles, and certain fungi can prey on already weakened trees. A well-watered and maintained trees should pose little pest threat.
Use Oregon State University's plant disease and insect management handbooks to diagnose potential problems with you Douglas fir.
- Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks (pnwhandbooks.org)
- Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks (pnwhandbooks.org)
For More Information
- Pseudotsuga menziesii | Portland.gov
- Douglas fir - Wikipedia
- Pojar, Jim, and Andy MacKinnon Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast (revised). Lone Pine, 2004