A towering evergreen conifer of western North America, the workhorse softwood of the Pacific Northwest timber economy.
Where it grows
Douglas fir ranges from central British Columbia south through the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Coast Ranges to central Mexico. The coastal variety dominates the wet temperate forests of the Pacific Northwest, while the smaller interior variety occupies drier mountain slopes.
How to recognise it
Despite its name, it is not a true fir. The needles are soft, flat, and arranged spirally around the twig, smelling sweetly of citrus when crushed. The diagnostic feature is the cone: pendant, with distinctive three-pronged bracts that protrude between the scales, said to look like the back legs and tail of a mouse hiding inside.
Uses
Douglas fir heartwood is strong, straight, and easy to work. It is the most widely used structural softwood in North America for beams, framing, plywood, and trusses, and is also a favoured Christmas tree thanks to its conical shape and excellent needle retention.
Ecology
Old-growth Douglas fir forests support spotted owls, marbled murrelets, and rich understories of sword fern and salal.